Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and those of us holding the mascara wand.

After two decades of covering the beauty industry, I've come to learn what makes it so alluring. Finding the perfect shade of makeup to match your skin tone, adding a swipe of eyeliner to give your tired eyes a lift, discovering an innovative new product line, or indulging in a totally luxurious spa treatment. My experiences have been documented in magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide. I've tested newly formulated products in the lab, explored hair removal options, shopped for lipstick, added shine to my hair and succumbed to massage marathons--all in the name of beauty. I've written press releases, hosted makeover events and co-authored a Do-It-Yourself Beauty book (Alloy). On this blog, I write about products and services that I come across every day as well as those that have been provided by publicists or the companies that make them. Either way, I write what I think. I hope to share some of my insights--and bring you the latest, greatest beauty news right here. Join me in the quest to find all things pretty.


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

playing with clay


Need to brighten up your eyes? Even out your skin tone? Ensure makeup glides on smoothly? tarte's smooth operator™ Amazonian clay eye base naturally brightens your base.

Amazonian clay balances oily lids and hydrates dry areas around the eye. The waterproof primer leaves your lids soft and smooth, allowing shadow to remain truer to color and last all day.

I dabbed a drop on my eyelids and gently blended it into my lids. I really like the way it evened out my skin tone, creating a fresh canvas for my eye shadow. Its hydrating properties also made my lids look and feel smooth, not dry and flaky, so the shadow looked fresh and even when applied.

While it definitely is a great way to prep eyes for shadow, I really like to wear it alone. It just lightens the whole eye area and can double as a concealer if need be. For more info, go to www.tartecosmetics.com.