The Beauty Box: Makeup

Beauty Bargain: Burt’s Beeswax Lip Balm + Wet ‘n’ Wild Créme Liner

What: Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm

Why: Remember that annoying, but catchy song that dispensed advice to the graduating class of 1999, with the ultimate piece of advice being to always wear sunscreen? Sunscreen is a lifesaver, don’t get me wrong, but I have to think that the speaker must never have slicked on the awesomeness that is Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lip Balm. If he had, that would have been the indispensable product he was singing the praises of.

Seriously, the stuff is incredible: a single tube ($2.49 at Drugstore.com) packs in everything you need to prevent painful chapped lips. The balm is 95 percent natural and includes coconut oil, lanolin, comfrey and sweet almond oil (the 5 percent that’s “unnatural” is just vitamin E made stable with a little kitchen science). Plus, I’m convinced that the balm actually plumps my pout a little bit (what else could that effervescent, pepperminty tingle mean?). Pair it with my other cheapy fave, Wet ‘n’ Wild Brandywine Créme Lip Liner (99 cents, but you’ll have to hoof it to the drugstore to find it) and I’ve got a sub-$4 lip routine that’s second to none.

Get Yours: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Bargain: CoverGirl Professional Mascara

What: Cover Girl Professional All In One Curved Mascara

Why: I’ve plunked down the big bucks for high-end mascaras, but there was always something wrong with them. This one flaked and got under my contacts, that one smudged when I didn’t want to do heroine chic and I always found myself going back to the basics. My friend Dani, who at 13 was much more worldly than me because her mom was a flight attendant, first introduced me to this sleek blue container of CoverGirl Professional Mascara. Scoff you may, but this tried-and-true mascara has had me hooked ever since. The smooth application stays put and the price can’t be beat.

Price: $4.50

Get Yours: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Bargain: Neutrogena Shimmer Sheers

When it comes to makeup, I ooh and ah over every smoky eye and contoured cheekbone. Then I wake up late for work and barely have time to put on shoes, let alone carefully craft a beautiful face.

That’s why I love my Neutrogena Shimmer Sheers so much. It’s equally useful as eyeshadow, blush and gloss, and I can slick it on with a finger in between subway stops. The finish is lightly powdery without feeling cakey, which is crucial for my sensitive skin. And the bronze color “Mystified” adds just enough color that people at the office say, “You’re looking nice!” rather than, “Do you have malaria?”

For less than ten dollars to perk up my whole face, this is a bargain I plan on keeping in my purse for a long time.

Price: Originally $9, now on sale for $8.

Get Yours: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: A Royal Flush

What: Physicians Formula Magic Mozaic Pressed Powder

Why: For me, investing in my 401(k) is easier than investing in blush. Retirement stocks can either decline or appreciate in value, but blush can either be perfect, too bright, too light or just way too shiny. In the end, it’s like I’ve wasted my hard-earned cash on nothing.

This time, I won the lottery with Magic Mosaic Multi-Colored Powder. Its combination of dark and light shades highlight my features perfectly. If I’m feeling exceptionally bold, I can achieve a flushed, sexy look.  If I want to go subtle, I use the blush sparingly. I only have to sweep it on once a day because it doesn’t fade, smudge or cake.

This mosaic powder comes in a few different shades to spin on to your skin so you can get the perfect glow: Translucent, Bronzer and Beige.

Price: $12.89

Get Yours: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: A Wonderbra for Your Lashes

What: Benefit Cosmetics Get Bent Mascara

Why: Benefit’s Get Bent Mascara does it all: lifts, curls, lengthens and separates. It’s kind of like a push-up bra for your lashes. The angled brush helps you increase lash volume root to tip, while the tapered end helps you achieve that winged look. The deep black color makes eyes pop and the formula enhances the natural curve of your lashes making your eyes look even bigger. On top of that, it lasts all day.

Price: $19

Get Yours: Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Compact Anti Shine by Smashbox

What: Smashbox Compact Anti-Shine

Why: If you’re like me, you have a hard time keeping your skin from looking shiny no matter how faithfully you apply powder.  Lucky for us, Smashbox offers Compact Anti-Shine.  At first glance, you may think this sleek little case is nothing more than a stylish powder compact. Au contraire.  Instead of simply covering the shine as a normal powder would, this wonder product actually absorbs oil while conditioning your skin with aloe, repairing it with vitamin E, and controlling acne with tea tree oil.  What’s more, the formula is colorless, so it’s appropriate for all skin tones. When I tried it, it was as if I’d taken an eraser to my oily skin without leaving any cake-y residue behind, and the no-shine effect lasted throughout an entire evening. The clever design of the compact contains a flip-up mirror and a quality sponge, but is still small enough to tuck into your tiniest evening clutch. Smashbox has made a name for itself as a brand that can withstand the intense lighting of professional photo shoots while still being light enough for everyday wear.  No wonder Charlize Theron and Drew Barrymore are fans. 

Price: $28

Get ready for your close-up at Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Easy Liquid Eyeliner

What: tarte indelible wink liquid liner & shadow set

Why: If you’re like me, easy and liquid eyeliner don’t usually go in the same sentence. This liquid liner and shadow combo, however, makes getting a sleek, budgeproof line a snap. First you line your upper lid with the liquid liner, keeping the tip as close to your lashes as possible. Next, use the powder liner tip to retrace the liquid liner. The powder smooths, sets and blends the line, hiding any little imperfections. Line ‘em and leave ‘em in a minute.

Price: $22, Black or Brown

Get Yours: Beauty.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Good-for-You Lipstick from Smashbox

What: Smashbox Tinted Treatment Lipstick

Why: Two-in-one products tend to get a bad rap—when was the last time you bragged to your friends about the amazing Head and Shoulders you used on your hair that morning? In some cases, however, two-in-one can be better, like with the Smashbox Treatment Lipstick. 

The Smashbox lipstick looks like a creamsicle—brightly colored on the outside with white cream in the center.  Don’t eat it, though, that inner core is actually vitamin E, working to protect your lips while the outer shell gives you that pretty pout.  The lipstick teams up in other ways as well; the SPF 15 rating will keep your lovely lips protected, too. 

Price: $18

Get Softer Lips Now: Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Good morning, lips!

What: Tarte’s Rise & Shine plumping lip stain

Why: It’s truly the ultimate wake-up call for your lips. One end of the lip gloss wand holds a stain that brings a natural rosy hue to your lips, while the other contains a plumping gloss that stimulates collagen in your lips. While I didn’t turn into Angelina after a week of using the duo, I loved how my lips did look fuller without the bee-sting sensation that happens so often with plumping glosses. And another good thing? The stain lasted for hours, meaning I didn’t have to keep reapplying for color.

Price: $21

Find it: Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Hard Candy with No Calories

What: Hard Candy’s Vegan Sweet Spot Lip Gloss

Why: I was given some red lip gloss last Christmas, which usually conjures up ideas of something berry-flavored, but when I put it on, was startled to discover its chocolate flavor. It was interesting and tasted better than the plain stuff, but there are some things that, well, shouldn’t be chocolate. Lip gloss is one of those things.

Recently, I decided to give flavored lip gloss another chance, this time picking up Hard Candy’s ‘Hippie Chick’ -– a sparkling pink gloss with a fresh orange flavor.  Unlike its chocolate cousin, this lip gloss reminded me positively of Minute Maid or Sunny-D. It’s sweet, sweet candy….without the calories and imparts an astonishing shimmery pout. Not only that, but it’s also vegan.

Price: $11

Find it: Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: HIP Eyeshadow With Punk Rocker Personality

What: L’Oreal Hip High Intensity Pigments Concentrated Shadow Duo

Why: HIP stands for High Intensity Pigments—and that’s what these eyeshadows claim to be. Claim they may all into the night; these definitely pack a high-color punch that lasts.

I’m wearing “Dynamic,” a duo of chocolate and gold shown here. For evening I wet the darker shade and use it as a liner using the lighter shade as an all-over wash on the lid.  For daytime I use the gold to rim around my eyes, which brings out the specks of yellow in my normally baby blues. That’s just me, but HIP comes in all sorts of colors, so you’re bound to find a combo that’s right for you like Playful in pink, Sassy in blue and Lively in green.

These are the ideal little compacts to act as your go-anywhere makeup, blending easily and building to your desire level of intensity. And don’t fret about being hip to wear them. Although they pack a lot of pigment into a tiny compact, they’re just as sexy on any gal, no matter what her demeanor.

Price: $7

Get Yours: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Altoids for Your Eyes—Feel the Cooling *Burn*

What: Rohto V ICE Eye Drops for Redness Relief

Why: My peepers take a beating. After commuting through city smog and spending eight hours in an air-conditioned office staring at a computer, they’re often red, irritated and dry. But then a co-worker recommended these eye drops by saying they were like “Altoids for the eyes.” With that kind of an endorsement… who wouldn’t give them a shot? And she was right. The preservative-free drops not only soothed my itchy eyes but made the redness go away. One thing to note: Do not use these drops while wearing contacts.

Price: On sale for $5.49 (from $6.99)

Get Yours: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Keep Your Brows in Check

What: Anastasia Brow Gel

Why: Just like my hair, in the summer heat, my eyebrows tend to get a bit…unruly. Despite my best trimming efforts (which seem to be more disaster-esque than impressive), my eyebrows sometimes fly out of control.

In order to beat the heat and keep my ‘never break a sweat’ appearance at work (yeah, right), I’ve turned to Anastasia’s Brow Gel.

Anyone who has mastered mascara – or even knows how to use a wand – can do this.  Looking just like clear mascara – but with a much stronger scent – Anastasia’s gel is the last thing you should apply to your eyes.

Although the gel can feel a little tight while it dries, it does loosen up and does its job.  Now you can feel free to make faces behind your bosses’ backs and know that your brows are safely in shape.

P.S. You can also nix the brow pencil and save a step when you buy it in blonde or brunette instead of clear.

Price: $19 for colored, $21 for clear.

Find It: Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Lip Quenching Color from iQ Derma

What: iQ Derma Lip Quench Moisture Infusion Lip Treatment

Why: Lately my lips have been pale, chapped versions of themselves. My normal lip balm wasn’t fixing the problem and glosses were just making everything worse. Then I tried IQ Derma Lip Quench.

The balm moisturizes while plumping, decreasing chapping and smoothing wrinkles. As if that didn’t make it hard working enough, it comes in a sheer pink shade that adds just a hint of color. The combination of olive and sweet oils that protect against free radicals make this a win win balm for every situation.

Now, it hasn’t converted my pucker into Angelina’s pillowy pout, but my boyfriend isn’t complaining, either!

Price: $31

Find it: SkinStore.com (Earn 15 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Nude Goes Metallic

What: theBalm shady Lady Shadow/Liner

Why: As the mercury rises, makeup artists are using less makeup and making faces more au natural. This “nude” look makes perfect sense for spring and summer since heat plus makeup usually leads to melting. Now just because the look is called “nude,” that doesn’t mean you can’t add some color to it—not pinks or greens, but muted shimmers to add pizazz. Check out shady Lady Shadow and Liner Shimmery Powder in Mischievous Marissa. It offers just a touch of champagne gold shimmer to your lids. This effect keeps your eyes in sync with the beauty mag’s call for neutral while giving them a little something extra. The tiny compact is perfect for toting around in your smallest summer clutch and has a miniature mirror to make makeup touch-ups a breeze.

Price: $15

Find It: drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Smoldering Eyes in a Box from Tarte

What: Tarte Peep Show: Smokey Eye Palette

Why: Ever wonder how celebrities like Jessica Alba, Ashley Simpson and Eva Longoria always get such perfect, smoky eyes for their red carpet looks? My guess would be that they hire a professional makeup artist or two. 

Since most of us don’t have enough money for such a luxury, I’m happy to share that you can get that same, celeb-worthy smoky eye look with Tarte Cosmetic’s Smokey Eye Palette. For a mere $37, you can get sexy, smoldering eyes worthy of strutting down the red carpet and you won’t have to depend on anyone else to get it. 

The palette contains everything you need: setting solution, eye shadows, eye liner… you even get all the necessary brushes to blend everything together, not to mention the packaging has all the instructions. To boot, this all-in-one smoky eye solution comes in a lacy, purple, satin box –- a luxe box for your luxe look.

Price: $37

Get Yours: Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: SPF for your Lips

What: theBalm BalmShelter SPF 17 Tinted Gloss, Daddy’s Girl

For lush lips by land or by sea, try BalmShelter Lip Gloss. In an array of fresh shades, the Jojoba-enriched lip gloss will soothe and moisturize while protecting from harmful UV rays. It’s also made with beeswax so unlike other glosses or balms, it lasts without getting sticky in the heat. An added bonus: the banana strawberry scent goes perfectly with Pina Coladas and other beach accessories!

Price: $18

Find It: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: The Ultimate Compact

What: Too Faced Glamour To Go Lip Gloss & Eye Shadow Pocket Palette

Why: You detest fishing through your purse (a.k.a. the bottomless pit) hunting for the your lip gloss, eyeshadow or mirror only to find what you need after exposing the entire contents of your purse to the world. Two Faced has solved that problem with its Glamour To Go Pocket Palette. This sweet space saver features a mirror and six lip glosses. Slide back the gloss and it reveals four eyeshadows. Two small application brushes are also included. It’s a great palette for gals like me who like to carry small purses, or for using on a night out when all you’re carrying is an evening bag. Even better, when you are toting an oversized bag, you will be able to spot this black box fast so you don’t have to hunt for your makeup. Now all you have to worry about is finding the right spring dress to go with it.

Price: $18.50

Find It: Beauty.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Find: Vitamins Do Your Smackers Good

What: Tarte Inside Out Lipgloss

Why: Do you crave your daily vitamin? Are you as fanatic about your exercise schedule as you are about your diet? If you’re a health freak (or maybe just like to make healthy choices when they’re convenient), check out Tarte Cosmetic’s latest innovation— Inside Out -– a vitamin-infused lip gloss. This innovative beauty staple contains a slew of vitamins and extracts powered by BORBA, including vitamins A and C, green tea and lychee extract. While Tarte’s shimmery gloss makes you gorgeous on the outside, BORBA’s “nutraceuticals” take care of your inner beauty (and I don’t mean your attitude). Even if you don’t care about the health benefits, you’ll fall in love with the super light wear and fruity pomegranate flavor of this amazing lip gloss. 

Price: $21

Find It: Beauty.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)

Beauty Trend: Tubed Lashes from Blinc

What: Blinc Kiss Me Mascara

Why: While fake eyelash extensions might be all the rage, at $300 a pop, we think it’s a little much for two weeks of fluttering lashes (unless, of course, it allowed us to snag some super-hot date.  But that would be a different story.)

Our obsession with eyelashes took us to another trend: tubing.  Unlike traditional mascara that ‘cakes’ on, tubing mascara forms an encapsulating tube around each individual lash, promising to outswim and outsweat your traditional appliqué.  Leading the charge is Blinc –- an eyes-only company whose tube-u-lar product has graced nearly every celebrity face you can imagine. Luckily, you don’t have to be a star to try this trend -– at only $24, the tubes can be yours. 

The product is simple enough to use—apply like regular mascara and when you’re ready to take it off, use some warm water and light pressure and the tubes slide away…no harsh makeup removers required. Although it’s a little eerie at first to see the tubes in your hand, we were impressed with the lengthening -– and lasting -– results. 

Price: $24

Get Yours:  Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Eco-Friendly Lipstick: PlantLove by Cargo

What: CARGO PlantLove Botanical Lipstick

Why: While Cargo’s revolutionary eco-lipstick has been out on the shelves for some time now, Earth Month is the perfect time to go shop for it. The formula is creamy, the colors are cheery and the packaging is the best part about it. The tubes are made of 100 percent compostable material and the packing can be planted to grow a garden of wild flowers. Of course, you can expect the best from Cargo since their products are always high quality. What’s more is that for each purchase Cargo donates $2 to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It just goes to show that if you make love, not war, you really can help save the world.

Also check out the CARGO PlantLove Berry Lip Box Set. It includes two PlantLove lipsticks in Yellowstone and Cece, plus a PurseGloss and Reverse Lip Liner. It makes a great gift for your eco-conscious friend.

Price: $20 per tube

Get Yours: Sephora.com (Earn 5 Pts/$1 spent)

Non-Makeup-Meltdown: Lip Color by Ramy

What: Ramy Whipped Liqui-Air Color

Why: With humidity creeping it’s way into the atmosphere and the inevitable blazing hot sun ready to peek it’s ugly head out, the last thing you want in your tote is heavy makeup.  I mean, really, who wants to look like a wax figure every time you hit the poolside, with gobs of makeup melting off her face? When the high temps hits us hard this summer, the “melt factor” is almost impossible to escape. Luckily for you, there is a solution.

While the weather’s still cool, grab yourself a Whipped Liqui-Air Color by Ramy. This beauty product goes from liquid to powder faster than a Ferrari going from 0 to 60 and is so super light, you’ll forget you’re even wearing it.  If you’re not sold yet, then busy ladies, listen up. This little bottle holds color you can use on your eyes and cheeks and conveniently fits in a .33 ounce container, making it a portable summer treat for your face you can toss in your work purse or poolside bag.

Price: $19

Get Yours: Drugstore.com (Earn 10 Pts/$1 spent)