What's in your poolside beauty bag?

Welcome to Summer 2008! With warm and (hopefully) sunny weather here to stay, it's time to make sure your secret weapons are in place.

Fortunately, there's no need to spend a fortune trying-and-trashing before you find the right sunscreen, lip butter, bronzer, waterproof mascara, and fragrance—our friends over at We Love Beauty have done the legwork for you. Here are this season's must-haves for poolside and beachside:

• Hair: Frederic Fekkai Summer Hair SunShine Shield Spray
• Lips: LAVANILA Pure Vanilla The Healthy Lip Butter
• Bronzer: Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Brush
• Face: Clinique UV-Response Face SPF 50
• Body Oil/Moisturizer: NARS Monoi Body Glow II
• Mascara: Vincent Longo Vibrant Eye Waterproof Mascara
  
• Fragrance: Missoni Acqua Perfume
  

Visit We Love Beauty's post for details on what makes her recommendations the "it" products for Summer 2008.

Got a guru in you?

Ever get a terrific idea for a new beauty product ... only to see it pop up on your local retailer's shelves a couple of weeks later?

Now Smashbox and Sephora are teaming up to help you turn your idea into the next beauty must-have and become the Next Beauty Guru.

All you need to do is create a video, commercial, or blog post that introduces your invention as a product the beauty world can no longer live without. One grand prize winner will be whisked away with a friend to Los Angeles, where she'll design the official Smashbox Fashion Week Makeup Palette. Other prizes include Smashbox swag bags and a spot on the distribution list for new product press kits.

Entries will be accepted until June 20, so hurry up and get yours in the mix—it just might be your ticket to stardom as the beauty world's next guru!

Spring/summer trend alert: white shadow

If you're looking for an alternative to your tried-and-true smoky eye to go with the flirty looks of spring and summer, our beauty gurus tell us that white isn't just "all right"—it's the shimmery look for this season.

White shadow brightens the eye area and lends a fresh, youthful aura, which makes it a perfect complement for breezy florals and easygoing nauticals. Go with a light application for daytime, then amp it up and add extra liner for a striking evening look.

A few formulas to try: Smashbox Single Eye Shadow in Oyster, Laura Mercier Mineral Eyepowder in Moonstone, Revlon Diamond Lust in White Hot (super-shimmery!), and Cover Girl Eyeslicks Gel Eyecolor in Moondust.

Need one more reason to try? It goes with anything!

(Hat tip: handbag.com)

Hot site: Cosmetics Cop

Now hear this: Paula Begoun does not want you to go shopping.

Not without her, that is. Or at least her advice.

Long before chat rooms and instant customer recommendations became de rigeur, Ms. Begoun made it her mission to cut through the marketing hype and offer clear, easy-to-understand reviews of the most popular beauty products. Her tome Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me is now on its seventh edition, and its counterpart Don't Go Shopping for Hair-Care Products Without Me is on its third go-round.

To keep her readers posted between book-writings, Ms. Begoun also hosts a hot little resource known as the Cosmetics Cop website. There you can find free reviews of hundreds of products in a searchable database; for more in-depth information, special reports, and other goodies, you can subscribe to her companion site, Beautypedia, for just $25 a year.

Who says beauty and brains don't mix?

Jordin Sparks to "Idol"-ize Avon

Youngest-ever American Idol winner and subsequent chart-topper Jordin Sparks is making her mark again, this time as Avon's first ever spokesperson for its Mark line's sales representatives.

Starting this summer, Sparks will serve as advisor and motivator for the Mark sales team, in addition to appearing in the line's catalogue, on its website and in national advertisements.

Sparks is no stranger to either Avon or Mark: both her mother and grandmother worked as Avon sales reps, and the songstress herself was a Mark sales rep when the brand launched in 2003.

She joins The Hills' Lauren Conrad, who as "star rep" has served as the face of Mark since Fall 2007.

(Hat tip: Women's Wear Daily)

Meet the new face of Revlon

In somewhat of a surprise move, Revlon, Inc. announced today that it has named Aussie beauty Elle Macpherson as its global brand ambassador.

In addition to appearing in national ad campaigns, the 45-year-old Macpherson will also play a role in Revlon's many philanthropic activities.

"I am proud to join Revlon in its celebration of women and in its long-term commitment and support for education and research to advance women's health and particularly to fight women's cancers," stated Macpherson, who recently launched her own lingerie line and appeared as a guest on America's Next Top Model.

Good for you, Elle—way to show the world that a girl can rock at any age!

(Source: Women's Wear Daily)

Spring beauty trend: ooh-la-la liner

This season, you can give those old standby brown, gray, and even black eyeliners a rest (well, OK, at least keep the black on standby), because liner colors are brighter, brasher, and bolder than ever.

From intergalactic purple to kelly green to electric blue, Spring 2008's eyeliner is anything but subtle. Check out Rimmel Two-Tone Eye Definer in Party Girl, L'Oreal HIP Color Rich Cream Eyeliner in Teal, or Hard Candy's Glitter Eye Pencil in Pickle, just to name a few.

And of course, you won't forget to keep the rest of your makeup subtle, will you, ladies? We'd hate to see any unfortunate drag-queen comparisons spoiling your springtime fabulousness.

Not sure which jewel-toned liner shade is right for you? The fabulous divas over at Total Beauty have put together a simple quiz to determine your perfect hue, based on your eye, hair, and skin colors as well as your desired effect.

Time to get those peepers poppin'!

(Photo: style.com)

Beauty etiquette: to buy or not to buy after a makeover?

We all love cosmetics counters: the array of colors and textures, the samples, the helpful sales ladies who make you look like look like you just stepped out of a Hollywood makeup artist's chair.

Then it comes. The awkward pause after they ask, "So, which products can I wrap up for you today?"

Cosmetic-counter sellers work on commission, so if they perform a service such as a makeover, they do so with their eyes toward a sale. According to Colleen Rush at TotalBeauty.com, you're never obligated to buy anything, but some purchase is expected, especially for a service that lasts more than 10 minutes.

It's common courtesy, Rush tells us, to make a purchase that's proportional to the time spent delivering the service, at an approximate ratio of $1 per minute. And if you don't intend to buy anything, say so up front:

So, confess if you have no intention of buying a product—if you simply want to test the brand or need a free glam makeover before a big night out. As awkward as it might sound, total honesty up front helps you avoid the truly awkward moment of walking away without spending a dime. This way, the makeup artist knows to hook you up, but still keep an eye out for potential customers. "You'll get the service because you might turn into a regular buyer, but she won't feel bad about stepping away to help other people," says Bobbi Brown makeup artist Mark Hopkins.

So, what if you just don't like the products you've tested or find them overpriced? Click over to the article for a list of tactful ways to say "thanks, but no thanks." You'll avoid buyer's remorse without offending—and that's a beautiful thing.

Beauty tip: sun-kissed winter makeup

Just because the weather outside is gray and ashen doesn't mean your skin has to follow suit. A touch of warm-hued makeup can give you a youthful, sun-kissed look ... and the right application technique can mean the difference between "I just holidayed in St. Bart's" and "I just fell into a vat of orange Jell-o."

Allure has teamed up with celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo to give you a step-by-step video on creating a subtle look that will have you glowing all winter long.

A few tips to keep in mind:

• Make sure skin is clean and well-moisturized before you reach for makeup; this will ensure that everything goes on smoothly.
• To apply powder bronzer, swirl a fluffy brush in the bronzer, tap to remove any excess, then sweep across the forehead, down the bridge of the nose, and along the cheekbones—right where the sun would touch your face.
• Use a rosy-pink blush instead of anything peachy, which could look fakey on top of the bronzer.
• Using your fingertips, pad a warm, champagne-colored highlighter along the tops of your cheekbones.
• Keep the rest of your makeup subtle.

Check out the whole video at allure.com.

Festive false fringes

As we've noted before, the bombshell look is hotter than ever for Fall/Winter '07 ... and we can't have Old-Hollywood glam without long, flirty lashes, can we?

According to Debbi Hartley-Triesch, Nordstrom's National Beauty Director, false lashes are the "little black dress" of eye makeup: they're perfect for a party, and the choices available range from subtle to show-stopping.

Debbi has a few additional tips to help make the most of your falsies:

• Use an eyelash curler to add lift and help false lashes blend in.
• Apply mascara before putting on your falsies to avoid clumping.
• Look down slightly, then wiggle and set lashes as close as possible to your natural roots.
• Apply liquid eyeliner for a seamless finish.

Then get ready to flirt the night away!

(Hat tip: The Thread at Nordstrom.com)

Happy Halloween! Our last-minute roundup

Some people live for Halloween the way some others live for Christmas. They pick out their costumes in July, start party-planning in August, and have the evening's full itinerary (complete with reservations) wrapped up by mid-September.

For the rest of us, here are some fa-boo sources for last-minute ideas to get yourself, your home, and your crew in the spirit:

For the Lowdown on Looks

• BellaSugar has scads of howl-a-licious makeup ideas, from witches and fairy princesses to ... Amy Winehouse?


• If you're looking for something a little less time-consuming, about.com's Julyne Derrick shows you how to create super-scary hair using just basic styling tools.

For Ghoulish Get-Togethers

• Stumped about how to decorate for a grownups' Halloween party? Hostess with the Mostess has scared up some fun, easy ideas you can throw together today.


• For munchables that go beyond basic partytime predictables, YumSugar is all you need.


• And for a cache of creepy cocktails (besides the Trick-or-Tini featured here earlier this week), check out about.com's list of sensational sippables, concocted just for the holiday.
  

For Scary (in a good way) Social Scenes

• If you're looking for a kickin' club where you and a few ghoul-friends can party the night away, visit Shecky's and click on your city for the very latest on the very hottest.

Have fun, ghouls!

Fall trend alert: red lips

We all know that the bombshell look is huge this fall, with big curls, dramatic eyes, and, most importantly, bold, red lips.

But with so many to choose from, which crimson shade is the look? The experts agree that for Fall 2007, Lancome's P.S. Kiss is all you need.

This limited-edition shade was on everyone's lips—figuratively if not literally—throughout New York Fashion Week, and now it's available for the rest of us. Check it out at your local Nordstrom or click on over to their website to get this season's must-have beauty item!

Must-have DVD: Makeup Assignment

Ever wish your favorite makeover show would give just a little more screen time to the makeup segment? Or that your favorite cosmetics-counter wizardess made house calls to guide you through the routines that she made look so easy?

If so, then Makeup Assignment, a new DVD from makeup artist Monique Powers belongs at the top of your holiday wishlist (hey, it's never too early to start dropping hints, right?).

Throughout the 47-minute program, Powers guides you gently along in must-have techniques for creating full lips, camouflaging blemishes, applying fake eyelashes, and much more. And each "lesson" is presented in real time, with no time-lapsing to the end result, so you'll catch every detail along the way.

Whether you're a true novice, a beauty ninja looking for a refresher course, or if you just can't get enough of the pretty stuff, there's a lot to love about Makeup Assignment.

Are you listening, Santa?

(Hat tip: BellaSugar)

Beauty tip: long, separated lashes

Want to get long, defined lashes without skimping on volume, the kind Rachel Bilson is sporting here? Elena Rodriguez, makeup pro at Yves Saint Laurent, tells us the secret: two types of mascara.

First, apply a lengthening formula from root to tip. Follow that with a thickening formula at the roots only, which avoids clumping at the ends.

Then get ready to flirt the night away!

(Hat tip: InStyle Beauty Flash)

Fall trend alert: rose gold

An old Greek proverb tells us, "If you are truthful, you will have as much gold as you want." Well, we must have been visited by the truth fairy this year, because gold is back in a big way for Fall 2007 ... only this time, it's blushing.

Rose gold is the hot metallic this season, popping up in everything from eye shadow to jewelry to handbags, like this stunning Jessica McClintock Chevron clutch. Richer and deeper than its paler cousin, rose gold radiates warmth and richness, a perfect complement to fall's muted colors such as gray and aubergine.

On the makeup side, look for this subtle shimmer in shadows, lip glosses, and nail lacquers. Bobbi Brown has even released an Exclusive Rose Gold Collection, available at Neiman Marcus.

So when you're looking to brighten up your look this fall, look to rose gold for a subtle, sophisticated shine.

Halloween looks so fab, it's scary

Halloween is just around the corner, and the good people at MAC have a question for you: why bother with a mask when you can have fun with your makeup?

Visit the MAC Halloween Looks page to discover tons of fun Halloween looks created with standard makeup tools like eye shadow, blush, and lipcolor. Just print out the look you want and make an appointment at your local store to find out how it's done.

Then get ready to scare up some compliments at this year's festivities!

Beautiful nails for a beautiful cause

Thanks to our friends at nubar, "The Healthy Alternative for Beautiful Nails," you can give yourself a gorgeous, toxin-free manicure while you also support the search for a cure to cancer.

nubar's Support the Cure 4-Pack includes two perfect summertime shades, Pink Cami and Je T'aime, as well as a foundation base coat and Diamant Seal & Shine. Like all of nubar's selections, each product is free of many harmful ingredients often found in commercial polishes. And best of all, 10 percent of each kit's purchase price will go toward St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Cancer Treatment Research Foundation, and City of Hope.

So pick up a Support the Cure 4-Pack for beautiful, healthy nails today ... and help build a brighter tomorrow in the fight against cancer.

Spring beauty trend: Dramatic eyes

Remember last spring's barely-there eye makeup--nude lids, gently smudged liner and just a hint of mascara? Fuhgeddaboutit!

This spring, look for eyes rimmed in dramatic black eyeliner against pale or metallic eyeshadow, like this look by Pat McGrath for Versace. (Source: Style.com)

Oh, and don't forget to keep cheeks and lips on the subtle side to avoid the drag queen look. But you already knew that, didn't you? We thought so.