Smashbox is a favorite of mine and a winner to me in the makeup world. (4 powderpuff rating) I'm working on the reviews for their Fall Collection, Reign.. Beautifully packaged.. Colors are perfect, textures are divine. Find out more on Reign and their new mascara by clicking below and in NY, at Smashbox

Up to Date REVIEWS 2009

mally BEAUTY, Makeup artist and QVC star, Mally Roncal is as beautiful as she is vivacious. Her personality evokes charm and a down-home appeal that is infectious to everyone who comes in contact with her. Whether it is her A+ celebrity client list, those watching QVC or her online tips and application lessons on MallyTV at mallybeauty.COM. Her products are excellently crafted, nicely designed and packaged and not too expensive. With Mally, makeup is all about having fun.

I tried her Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner Trio, Facets Gemlight Lip Gloss in Citrine (a shimmering gold), the versatile Pro Natural Lip and Cheek Rouge and Bronze Genius, a bronzer and Self-Tanner in one compact. (Interesting). These products get a 4 powderpuff rating!

The liners went on soft with the ability to smudge into the lashes before it sets. These liners in Midnight Black, Caribbean Blue, and Lucky Penny are made to be used separately or in combination with each other. Ie, black on the upper line, Lucky Penny as the lower liner with touches of Caribbean Blue in the corners, or layered over the black line. I tried the blue liner first and layered the Lucky Penny, which gave me a rich shimmering brown effect.

 Next the Bronze Genius.. This is a set with the bronzer in a thin mirrored compact and a nicely sized bronzing brush. With each application the bronzer stimulates the production of melanin in the skin, and actually tans the skin. (Don’t forget to use SPF daily, though underneath your makeup and after moisturizing). Also for you makeup artists, this is great when making up a man as Mally’s bronzer is matte, not the metallic look that other bronzers put off. $45

Pro Natural Lip and Cheek Rouge is one of those all in one products that make applying your makeup quick and easy whether it’s first in the morning or as a touch-up. It comes in a convenient small compact with a mirror. Bonus to all this is ingredients jojaba, and shea butter. The texture is soft and moisturizing and won’t pull or drag when applied. In Pink, Peach and Berry, $20 at www.mallybeauty.com I definitely want more from her line, and to have lunch with her!

I rarely will write about an airbrush company in these reviews, however Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics has branched out to offer some really inovative makeup. Lip Tar Lip Color is such a thing. OCC Lip Tar applies like a gloss, but you use way less. The pigment is richly concentrated with some "way out" choices. The Lip Tar goes on moist and dries to a satin finish. http://www.occmakeup.com/liptar.html 14 shades @ $12.50

OCC's Loose Color Concentrates in 25 shades. I've been looking for more pizazz when doing a more formal makeup. Some of the eye shadow palettes sold just don't have enough pigment to make a statement. These Loose Color Concentrates give lots of shimmer, for eyes or anywhere else on the face and body. For a stronger look dampen your flat shadow brush with water, or OCC mixing medium and get full strength color. They are currently on sale so go to http://www.occmakeup.com/es.html fast

There is an OCC Pro program available online, so if you are a professional, there are some goodies available for you.

IT'S HERE..AIRBRUSH YOUR FACE AT HOME WITH A REAL AIRBRUSH .. not a spray can! GET IT NOW! The first of it's kind .. OK you airbrush enthusiasts you've got your wish and now on its here at Sephora stores and online .
Temptu Personal Airbrush System. If you can't wait, to try it at your local Sephora store, the space-age designed Personal Airbrush System will be available online. Held like a pen, easy maintenance, easier than the professional units. The foundation will be in an "air pod" The AIR pods come in foundation, blush and highlighter, in various shades. It's easier than you think, and now you can have that beautiful look that usually was reserved for Hollywood Celebrities. Cool! Professionals ... look for Temptu Pro Artist Program. at Sephora.com

It’s just in the last few years that I branched out to bridal makeup. It’s still hard not to stay for the whole wedding and “touch up” the bridal party makeup. Motives by Loren Ridinger is a makeup line that I feel will be fine to stay put during the many hours of pre-wedding photo sessions, the ceremony and the reception that lasts into the night. The eye shadows, go on in rich hues from soft beige to deep granite. They have a velvety texture and go on well with either a brush, spongetip or finger. You can dampen a brush and paint the lid for even richer color. There is a good range of shades to choose from and they aren’t too expensive. In my collection is Shimmer Taupe, Bedroom Eyes, and German Chocolate as well as Midnight and Fantasy. There’s plenty more to choose from, and I personally would like some light shimmer shades like Vanilla and Vintage Glam $12.00

The blush I like is Flushed and Babydoll. The colors go on sheer and therefore are mistake proof. Use a soft brush stroking the apples of the cheeks and blend any edges with a makeup sponge.

The Liquid Powder Mineral Foundation SPF 15 (I have Tender Beige, a medium tone) in a 1.2 oz tube goes on smooth and can be layered as a concealer without looking thick. The foundation sets without the use of powder. $24.95 For touch-ups, the Photo Finish Pressed Powder (I have “neutral”) sets the makeup without any over-powdered look.

A nice touch is Motives® Essential Lip Kit with 9 lipshades to wear alone, or mix.  $35

There is much more to the line for face, cheeks, eyes and lips, so wonder around the website and enjoy.ore to the line for face, cheeks, eyes and lips, so wonder around the website and enjoy.

Makeup Forever has come out with new HD Primers in several correctional shades. More on this as I test these out. oh boy! In the meantime, check out their HD Foundations and super reviewed micronized powder. For you brides, get the best look for your photographs and wedding video! Try HD products!

From Two Faced is Lock Down Ultmate Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow. These are deep metallic pigments with Shadow Insurance's anti-crease base for staying put. Squeeze a tiny drop out of the tube and pat in onto your lids with either finger, brush or sponge tip. Add a little more for vibrancy or keep it soft and sheer. I have it in "Bedroom Eyes and Drama Rama. Very nice. Comes in six shades to collect. $18.50 at Sephora.com

Hey, I have been using The Colossal Volum' Express® Mascara.. ya know? it works! it goes on well without clumping and maybe it's the NeuLash enhancer I'm using to lengthen my lashes, or what, but my lashes look great! and I have sitting in a bowl about 10 different varieties of mascara! This one is GREAT!

Pixi, a cosmetic line by makeup artist Petra Strand selling at Target. Petra started the company with her sisters 10 years ago. The first store opening was in SoHo London. If you haven't gotten to Target yet, go and see the new Makeup Artist inspired collections. They sometimes are not typical Target prices, however the quality is excellent and the makeup innovative. Check out the Pixi Illuminating Tint and Conceal. A tube of illuminating tinted moisturizer with SPF 20, day lotion treatment and with concealer separately at the top of the tube. For more info go to www.pixibeauty.com

Luminess Tan System is a nicely sized, easy to use airbrush tanning system for home use. The system has easy to follow instructions, two bottles of tanning solution and a cleaning bottle to flush out the airbrush. The only thing missing that no one but us airbrush know-it-alls feel should be added is the maintenance involved if the airbrush gets clogged. You must know how to take it apart and put it back together. (Part of the class I teach in airbrush makeup) So, in light of those instructions being left out, ALWAYS flush the airbrush with water using the cleaning bottle. And clean the airbrush needle cap (the front tip) if you see left over solution.

 Following the instructions I exfoliated my legs, chest and arms first. Showered, and waited an hour before applying the Tanning Solution. I used about 1/3 of the bottle. Supposedly a full body would be ½ bottle. A bronze sheen will appear and later the tanning solution activates giving you a tan for up to 14 days. I sprayed while seated on the side of the tub with my legs in the tub to be sure that spray could be easily rinsed away from the porcelain, and not end up on my bathroom floor and walls.  The airbrush is what’s called a single action, or “point and shoot”. The more you pull back on the trigger the more spray will mix with the air and the more tanning you apply. Start with pulling half way back at first to get used to the airbrush, which you’ll hold like a pen. It’s really easy … or maybe it is because I’m used to airbrush. (Tip, if you have curly hair, use the cleaning bottle of water to spray your hair at the roots to re-activate your curls in the morning or after a long work day. Far fetched, but works well.  $129  luminess

Urban Decay Get Baked Eyeshadow Palette. A palette with everything you need to go bronze for summer with four shadows. a mini eye pencil and a hint of turquoise blue. Now we just need to go to New Mexico and get the jewelry to match! $28. a good deal and a (4) powder puff rating.

AGELESS Fantasy parfume for The Baby Boomer age. What will we do next besides retire? Retailers and manufacturers want our attention. They find our weaknesses and exploit us. So here comes “AGELESS” a perfume that guarantees you will be perceived as 8 years younger at first sniff. Your face won’t show any differently, that extra 15 pounds you’ve put on since they said red wine was good for your heart will just make your waist and butt look cuter, Pheromones will kick in and the opposite sex will see you as a sultry J-LO. Hogwash I say… but on the other hand, what the hell! So, I’ve been using it. There is a distinctive note of grapefruit that I like when applied. There is also mango, anti oxidant pomegranate, jasmine and musk. No matter what your age, it smells nice. I’m finding that I don’t want to leave the house without a little AGELESS just in case I run into an old friend … who will obviously seem older than me because I’m wearing AGELESS Whether it works or not, I’m addicted.. Maybe folks will disregard my crows feet and lip lines. AGELESS is cheaper than a visit to the plastic surgeon. And well, maybe it does work! 3.04 OZ $120 Just in....There is a new mini sized roll on that just came out for $24.. "such a deal!"

There is a new technology in town and arriving at a store, salon or doctor's office near you. Your lashes can be longer, darker and lush. Your thinning brows can fill in. GREAT! and depending on its strength, ingredients, advertising and packaging, you can have it too for approximately $40 to $150. On the high end and getting a jump on promotion is the prescription only Latisse. Their ads are everywhere with Brooke Shields as the "face", (or lashes) for the product. I'd love to get my hands on it and compare it to some of the others available including the less expensive lash and brow enhancers out there. The active ingredient in Latisse is a "prostaglandin" called bimatoprost. Most of the other lash/brow enhancing brands use peptides, vitamins, botanicals and conditioners and according to researchers and "consumers like us", they too seem to lengthen, enhance, condition and thicken lashes. Some of the other brands out there are, NeuLash, Lash Trio, Talika Lipocils, RevitaLash (Contains Prostaglandin), Peter Thomas Roth, and RapidLash. So, if you don't want to go the prescription route, try one of the non-prescription brands and see what happens. I am testing neuLash currently on my brows and lashes. My very blond (can't see that they are there) brows have become darker. My lashes do look thicker and longer when mascara is applied. So, I'll use this tube up and try Lash trio. Speaking of the huge mascara industry, don't throw yours away just yet. Remember the key words, "enhance" .. so your mascara'd lashes will look dreamier and more conditioned.

Smudge Clear Colorant. From White Sands is Smudge for your hair. A water-based weightless styling and finishing product. I use it after blow-drying the hair but you can apply it on wet hair also. Smudge can be used for piecing, straightening, texturizing and flat ironing. It will add silkiness to your hair. Whether your hair is straight, curly, short or long, Smudge will do the trick. Nice for stylists on photography shoots too. http://www.whitesandsproducts.com/

Hey baby boomers .. here is Relastin Skin Revitalizer a Zinc Firming Complex that promotes elastin formation. This cream feels very light going on so perfect for summer's heat. Elastin is the "spring" in your skin. Ever pinch and lift the skin in your hand to see if it springs back or just stays there? That is how you can check the elastin in your skin and how you are aging. Elastin stops producing in our teens and starts to degenerate from there on. The lack of elastin causes skin to sag and wrinkle. So get some "spring" back in your skin! Relastin is available at www.relastin.com

IsaDora Instant Spray On Makeup... OK fellow makeup enthusiasts.. let me tell you. All the caned spray on foundations that I've tested so far can not compare to actual airbrushed makeup. I am an airbrush makeup artist, and I'm telling you that you can not control the spray force coming out of the atomizer, nor the size of the projection. Only an airbrush can do what an airbrush does. I haven't tried Sally Hansen as yet, but years ago tried Era with the same complaints about the application. After saying that, I have tried IsaDora and find that if I spray some on my palm and apply it with a finger, sponge or makeup brush, it is nicely thin and works well as foundation or concealer. It has a nice feel to it and is very light weight with good pigment. IsaDora products can be found at Cosmeticmall.com