Revlon PhotoReady Compact Makeup: Not As Easy As It Looks

Foundation. We wear it daily. We don't like applying it, but-----only the most flawless skin doesn't need foundation, just a bit of concealer. At least that is what professional makeup artists have told us.

And we DON'T have perfect skin. But what foundation does, is provide a balance to skin tone, a bit of warmth to complexion, a nice base on which to layer on blush, concealer, shadows, etc. Plus, foundation provides some coverage from the elements.

We wear Revlon's ColorStay Soft-Flex Foundation in Nude. It's a liquid for oily/combination skin. And it's the best for us, so far. We sample a number of foundations along the way, but this particular product has served us well. And it's not a bad match for our skin tone.

We were quite curious then, to try Revlon's PhotoReady Compact Makeup ($13.99, at drugstores). This ain't your mama's foundation, ladies. This is a high-tech compact makeup. It contains a liquifying screen that actually transforms the cream foundation into a iquid foundation for 'superior blendability.

Heck, we're all for that. But wait a minute-----------It's not as easy as it looks. From the photo we're providing of Revlon's PhotoReady, it would appear to be a simple makeup compact. But there's a certain technique you must use:

The cream makeup visibly liquefies as it filters through a screen (when pressed). Then it transforms into a weightless liquid for smooth, even coverage. A sponge applicator is used in the process.

It gets a bit messy trying to get the product out and onto your face. We're not wild about the screen. Revlon says to "Gently press on screen with sponge. Blend with sponge across face, starting in center of face blending outward." ... It's a very lightweight consistency And it takes some practice.

We give Revlon's PhotoReady high marks for its 20 SPF rating. That is great. Plus the finish to this foundation leaves a soft, airbrushed look. But we think we will stay with our Revlon ColorStay, instead.

LOL....Anything Wrong With 5-Year-Old Madison Giving Makeup 101 Lessons On YouTube?!

Is the tender age of 5 too young to start playing around with makeup?

Let's go one huge step further-----Is a 5-year-old too young to be giving makeup 101 lessons on YouTube?!

Like it or not, little Madison is a YouTube sensation! And if you haven't seen her telling you how to apply blush and eye shadow, and so much more, then check this out here. In fact, we caught her again, being featured on 'Good Morning America.'

Madison is a pint-sized cutie pie who is very comfortable in front of the camera, playing with makeup. Period. It's harmless and fun.

But there are some out there who have cried, 'foul!' They say we are sexualizing our little girls.

Well, in this case, we don't happen to think so. We think it's okay to explore Mommy's makeup bag, and try on a swipe of lipstick or powder your nose.

Madison's mom loves watching YouTube makeup tutorials, and it's obvious, that her young daughter has become fond of cosmetics and communication via YouTube.

Madison is an internet sensation, and we can see why. She is adorable, engaging, intelligent, and a happy child, who just happens to love playing with her Mom's makeup.

What do you think?

Kim Kardashian Looks To Hepburn Hollywood Glamour For Wedding Style

With bride-to-be Kim Kardashian showing off a 20.5 karat diamond engagement ring, there is no doubt that her wedding will also be a grand one! And the late, iconic Audrey Hepburn could somehow be involved. Hmmm....more on that in a bit.

We caught the sexy reality star chatting with Ryan Seacrest live on the E! channel last evening.

And we noticed right away, that the raven-haired beauty had several inches chopped from her super long locks. She looks even hotter, if that's possible.

Why did she go shorter?

"I just wanted a change!" Kim told Us Weekly earlier that day. "I always wear my hair the same, and wanted something fresh!" Take a look at her new, layered do from Kim K's website.

Kim Kardashian recently got engaged to her boyfriend of six months, basketballer Kris Humphries. She has been busy promoting the newest season of her family's E! reality show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. And the 'kute' couple are slated to marry later this summer.

Kim has been very busy trying to hunt down the perfect wedding dress, no easy task for any bride-to-be But the reality star beauty did give away a couple of big hints to Ryan Seacrest:

1. Old Hollywood Glamour. That's the look Kim is eyeing. Nothing overtly sexy. Tradition and sophistication.

2. Audrey Hepburn wedding dress. Possibly. Kim has been looking through the beauty archives for memorable gowns, and revealed that she loved the tea length wedding dress that Audrey Hepburn wore in the 1957 movie, 'Funny Face.'. Take a look at our top photo. Very demure and frou-frou.

And although Kim Kardashian is petite like the late Audrey Hepburn, their body shapes couldn't be more different. Audrey was far from curvy, and was uber-skinny, whereas Kim is very voluptuous.

But if anyone can carry off a beautiful garment, it's certainly Kim K., so we will be very interested to see just what kind of wedding gown the sexy celebrity walks down the aislein. Somehow, we envision Kim in a very white, mermaid style gown.

Stay tuned, fans!

Are You A Cuticle Cutie? How Does Your Mani/Pedi Look?

Cuticle cutie?

No, not yet. In fact, we are usually in hang nail h-ll. We get hang nails at our thumbs, and we are always trying to tear the skin ourselves, and we end up making it a lot worse.

A hang nail is "a small, torn piece of skin near a fingernail or toenail." And that would point to the cuticle.

But our cuticles are improving. That's because we are now conditioning them. In the past, we never bothered applying oil or cream treatments for the cuticles, but at the moment, we are hooked.

Yes, these cuticle conditioners DO work. But you need patience and a little TLC. And since we are mani/pedi-challenged, we are learning quite a few things about healthy nails.

Tennis Star Serena Williams is nail-obsessed, and we can bet her cuticles are perfect:

...."No one likes getting their nails done more than I do," she says. "As a matter of fact I go every four days to get a manicure and every seven days for a pedicure. So, I had a brilliant idea to get certified to be a nail tech."

You don't have to be manicure-crazy to achieve healthy nails, but you DO have to have healthy cuticles to make it all work. And we have 2 cult cuticle conditioning favorites that deliver results:

1. Solar Oil Conditioner by Creative Nail Design ($7.59, at drugstore.com). Made with Vitamin E, sweet almond and jojoba oils. Solar Oil is able to penetrate deeply to soften dry cuticles and promote the growth of strong, flexible nails.

Simply brush on this oil daily. We like to do this at bedtime to let the

oil dry completely, and work through sleeping hours.

2. Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme by Burt's Bees ($5.99, at drugstore.com. This stuff is amazing, too, in a cream base. It, too, includes sweet almond oil, Vitamin E. Toss in some lemon oil and cocoa butter, and your nails will be in heaven.

Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme is easy to apply, too. Just massage in and around nails nightly to heal dry cuticles and cracked fingertips.

With hot, summer days fast approaching, it's a good time to get your nails in shape, and that means a set of healthy cuticles, from your fingertips down to your toenails.

We promise to continue this simple, nightly nail routine, and if you have almost given up on your unattractive cuticles, give one of these conditioning nail treatments a try.

How To Fake A Fabulous Safe Tan With Bronzer

This Tuesday, June 21, marks the first day of summer. And for many of you, the beginning of your tanning routine.

We are not here to judge. We don't want to scold anyone for heading to the beach for a little rest and relaxation. BUT------

There really is NO safe tan, except in the form of sunless tanning. And that means bronzer for your face, and tanning spray for your body. And yes, you CAN fake a fabulous tan with bronzer.

Your face can glow and look like you spent a day lying by the sand and sea. All you have to do is pick the right bronzer and delicately apply it, so it results in a natural, sun-kissed way.

Choose a bronzerthat is one or two shades darker than your skin. If you have an oily complexion, then stay with a powder bronzer. Dry complexions would be wise to select a cream bronzer. And remember: Don't go bronzer-wild all over your face.

Try Maybelline's DreamMousse Bronzer ($7.29, at drugstores)> It's so light and glides on beautifully!

Celebrity makeup artist Scott Barnes, a fave of Jennifer Lopez, is the king of bronzer. Here are his tips, the best we've seen on applying a fake tan for the face:

"Make sure that you don’t use a bronzer like you would be using a loose powder. You shouldn’t be applying bronzer all over your face. You should actually use bronzer on parts of your face that the sun would kiss naturally and you should make sure that the centre of your face is lighter than the outer parts of your face.".

Use bronzer sparingly, says Scott:

"In general, I try to abide by a less-is-more mentality: You can always layer more on but it’s harder to take it off. It’s really all in the approach, though. I always see women applying powders and bronzers starting next to their nose. But the trick is to work from the outside of the face inward, rather than the other way around. This creates a halo effect and leaves a diamond shape of light in the center so your face appears a little more open. This will hide double chins and give you a visible bone structure so you don’t wind up looking old. Also, use a bronzing brush to blend allover rather than applying product directly to problem areas like crow’s feet and laugh lines. And don’t forget to do your neck and décolletage."

Great tips! And Scott Barnes sells his own popular makeup line of bronzers for face and body.

'Face' It: Palmer's Isn't Just For Stretch Marks Anymore

Okay, we'll be honest.....we adore cocoa butter. And when it comes to the king of the heavenly-smelling body butters, well, Palmer's has stood the test of time. And for many a pregnant woman, it's Palmer's to the stretch mark rescue.

But, now there's a new Palmer's in town:
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Facial Care Line. And the great news----everything is $15 or less at drugstores!

Smart folks at Palmer's, and it's about time. Who doesn't love an anti-aging cleanser, night cream, facial scrub, eye cream, and day lotion?! Who knew crushed cocoa beans make for an excellent exfoliating scrub?

The Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Night Renewal Cream ($15), on its own, feels so good. And it's formulated with cocoa and shea butters, retinol peptides, and evening primrose to firm and tighten skin.

If you are a cocoa butter fan, it's time to look beyond your beautiful belly, and to your face and neck. This new Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Facial Care Line is kind to sensitive skin, and won't put a dent in your pocketbook.

We think this a worthy skin care line to try.

How To Get Huma Abedin's Classy Sophisticated Style

Not a shiny, raven strand of hair out of place. Not a hint of puffy, red eyes from crying.

Instead, we see the striking Huma Abedin, the wife of fallen Congressman Anthony Weiner in control, doing her job as trusted aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

And she's going about her business with her flair for fashion and polished makeup palette of a defined eye, perfect brow, and bold red lip. That's her signature beauty look.

Of course, the exotic Pakistani/Indian Huma always has a gorgeous big designer handbag with her, too. Plus some very nice accessories---over-sized sunglasses, ornate chandeliers and/or pearls. And her hair is long andglossy, usually worn straight and parted-in-the-middle, or pulled back away from her face in a sleek ponytail or elegant updo.

Huma Abedin married Anthony Weiner a year ago. The model-slender 35-year-old wore a stunning Oscar de la Renta wedding gown, from one of her favorite designers.

These days, the very private Huma has been forced into the spotlight. But she hasn't said a word yet, about her Congressman husband's sexting scandal, and most people don't believe she will make any public comment. The couple had recently announced that Huma was pregnant.

We will be watching this quiet woman, and how she continues to handle her husband's recent resignation from Congress. We also look forward to seeing how stylish Huma chooses her maternity wear.