Catch up on your beauty reading after catching up on your beauty sleep with our favorite posts from the past week…

Features | Celeb-a-Like: Jessica Alba, Holiday Makeup Guide Part 5, 6, 7, 8, Interview with Jen from MAC, Nordstrom Trend Show

Launches | Origins’ Organics

MAC Cosmetics | Metal-X Color Story & Product Photos, Of Beauty Color Story & Promotional Photos, Of Beauty Review, Product Photos, & Swatches, Stylistics Color Story & Product Photos

Don’t forget to take a look at the best of beauty blogs, Continue reading →

As we near the end of the year, we want to see what were the best products of 2007, and who better than to tell us than our very own readers? Take our survey and give your favorite products some love! We encourage all of our readers to help us come up with a truly representative list of products loved by Temptalia readers.

TEMPTALIA’S READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2007, VOTE NOW!

Quick FAQ:

• If you don’t have an answer, feel free to state that, “I hated all the mascaras I tried this year!”
• Please only give one answer per question. If you can’t pick between your two favorites, how can you expect us to?
• Question confusing? Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification, or just answer to the best of your knowledge. This isn’t a test, you aren’t being graded!
• One survey per person (duplicates will be deleted).
• These are your answers–this means put what you feel is the best/worst, whether it is a drugstore or high-end brand.

What better way than increase participation by offering prizes? We’ll be doing random giveaways to those who fill out a survey! How will I know it’s you? Answer the last question (#20), and at the end of your answer, put: “PICK ME! [insert your email address].”

TEMPTALIA’S READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS 2007, VOTE NOW!

I appreciate everyone who enters! Thank you so much for your participation, in advance!

Are you willing to try new things when it comes to beauty? Do you stick your favorites and find it hard to switch or try something new? Have you just found what works–and what doesn’t–for you, which is why you tend not to bother with new trends or products? Or are you constantly changing your staples so much that you don’t really have staples?

I’m always willing to try new things, but it doesn’t mean I actually try them to their fullest extent. I’m constantly on the prowl for new and better skincare products, but I am wary of accumulating too many without being able to fully test them. It’s hard with skincare, because you do need ample time to test-drive it before you can determine whether the results were positive or not. When it comes to trends, I find myself less inclined to dive head-first if it’s totally at odds with my personal style.

She used:

• Neutral base
• Going bananas eyeshadow on inner lid
• Bitter eyeshadow on middle and outer lid
• Humid eyeshadow on upper lash line and crease
• Brown liner on waterline
• Shroom eyeshadow arounnd tear duct and under lower lash line
• Plushlash mascara

Check out another one of her close ups, Continue reading →

Everybody has–or should have–a little black dress that’s suitable for just about any occasion. Here’s a great example of something classy with a bit of fun, too, by Calvin Klein (and hey, it’s even reasonably priced!). We’re lovin’ Dior’s quint in Sunset Cafe for its soft gold, taupe, and pink-beige. Even the antique gold with green undertones (center shadow) could be the most gorgeous color in the crease. Pink-beige all over lid with gold on the outer ldi and the deeper taupe in the crease with the gray-beige as a brow highlighter impresses us when paired with this dress. Try Blush ‘n Brighten in Berry by Laura Gellar for a great flush with gold shimmer on the cheeks. We like Dior’s “I Love Dior” lip palette because it gives us several colors to work with. The berry (second one) would be a lovely way to top off the look we’ve described here.

1. Calvin Klein Strapless Satin Party Dress @ Nordstrom for $168.00
2. Laura Gellar’s Blush N Brighten in Berry @ Sephora for $28.00
3. Dior Quint in Sunset Cafe @ Sephora for $52.00
4. Dior “I Love Dior” Lip Palette @ Sephora for $40.00

One of the best aspects of the little black dress is that it is versatile, which means makeup can range from pitch-black smoky eyes to lavish false lashes and a bold red lip. It really is anyone’s desire that can be fulfilled (makeup-wise!) when it comes to dressing to impress in a LBD. Still, a classic red lip with lots of mascara is a combination you could never go wrong with. Try mixing your look up by experimenting with other bold lip colors like berries, vamps, and crimsons. And don’t forget long, voluminous lashes for a bit of drama.

Do you have a signature scent or fragrance? Is there a fragrance you wear so often that you’d swear people would recognize it was you coming just by the scent? What is it? What makes you so in love with it that it’s such a staple in your life?

I always wanted a signature scent–no dice yet!