LOOK: Lauren Conrad

It was Lauren's birthday last night on The Hills. Her look was typical of what has been trending since the fall season: simple face and eyes, with a stand-out lip color. Although it seems rather BAM and you may not think you can pull it off, you may be surprised. With just the right products you'll have this look in a matter of minutes - seriously!

I really do believe that this look can be achieved super quickly. When I try to do my eyes up with lots of color, it can take a while to really exaggerate my look. But with this look, all I need to do are my basics and just jump in the car with my lipstick, which I can apply in the mirror anywhere and anytime!

Face (these are basics that I would use no matter what look I'm trying to achieve)
Concealer - Prescriptives Camouflage Cream
Primer - Smashbox Photo Finish
Foundation - Bare Escentuals bareMinerals
Bronzer - NARS in Laguna

I don't think you need blush in this look; you don't want to look like a clown. And if you want to accentuate your cheekbones, try using a little extra bronzer on the apples of your cheeks.

Eyes (the goal here is to look natural)
Primer - Laura Mercier Eye Basics
Eyeshadow - MAC's Ricepaper (it's a neutral base)
Top Liner - Maybelline's Lineworks (liquid liner used to make a winged line will look the sharpest)
Bottom Liner - Prescriptives Softlining Pencil
Mascara - Clinique High Definition Lashes; Sephora Brand Lash Plumper; Cover Girl Professional All-in-One Mascara

Lips (here come the dramatics)
Lipstick - NARS Sephora Flame (semi matte deep red brown)
Lipgloss - Cargo blu_ray High Definition Timestrip Lip Gloss in Laredo (shimmering nude)

Lauren's birthday look is really a simple one that is accentuated by your choice of lip color. Just remember to keep the eyes simple if you're going for dramatic lips; use a neutral gloss on your lips if you're going to accentuate your eyes. It's simple! And hopefully, unlike Lauren, you need not worry about waterproofing in case you cry on your birthday!

-A

Vampy Lips for Fall

Since Fall is coming and dark is in, I'm wondering what to do with my lips. I keep seeing black lips, which I think is way too dark. So what to do?

I'm still in the I'll-only-wear-Softlips phase and I'm not sure how dark dark gloss will look on me. I have Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect by Dior in color 817, which is a dark brown. I came upon it last year and loved the color on me, but only after I blotted once to lighten it up a bit. I occasionally wear this when I'm going to be a bit more formal and need color in my face. Will this be my new Fall gloss for vampy lips?

I don't think I'll ever be able to pull off a noir look on my lips. Let's face it, I'm pretty fair-skinned so I think that such a dark lip would make me look slightly goth and that's not actually a look I like to go for.

If you want to go for something trendy, go for something that will supplement your skin tone. Perhaps go a shade darker than you would normally go, rather than trying the extreme. It will still have an effect on you, without making you look like you're trying to start Halloween a bit prematurely.

Tip: Check out Smashbox's Wicked Lovely collection this Fall for a dark palette, seen above.

-A

Nourish Your Lips

OK girls. I've got some lip news for you. As you know, I'm not too fond of putting anything on my lips, mainly for their sticky value. But sometimes it's just so hard when I feel like my lips are slightly dry. Simply licking them will not do the trick! So I found a solution!

My editor got some samples recently of Softlips and gave me some to try out. I'm so excited she did, even though I was so hesitant to begin with. It has SPF 20 and is ever so light on my lips. I feel like I'm barely wearing anything, yet my lips feel hydrated and protected. I'm loving it!

They come in a variety of flavors - my choice is the vanilla. While reading up on it a little, I saw that Softlips has a line of tinted lip protectants as well. It's a great product and I'm giving it an excellent review!

Though it's not something that will work for me when I go out and need the slightest bit of shine and color, I know Softlips works great for everyday wear. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect lip gloss, but in the meantime I'll condition my lips (with a two pack that runs under four bucks) and get them ready!

-A

Unexpected Purchases

I had dinner with SEV last night and told her about my lip debacle. How, I asked her, could I find just the right lip color. Let me tell you a little story.

SEV is not the most makeup obsessed. She uses very basic makeup, but it certainly works on her. Upon walking through Bloomingdale's one day, she came upon a very interesting free gift set that was being offered by Clinique. But she had to purchase a certain amount of products before she could get the free gift. As she browsed through their products, SEV was kind of discouraged because she didn't specifically need anything.. you never really do if you're browsing. She really wanted this bag of free goodies, which she tells me she really only uses the cosmetic bag the most.

So she took one for the team and bought two products. One was a Brush-On Cream Liner that she now swears by. And the other was a Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss. She loves this as well and got me to try it last night. I'd like to keep checking out the products but I did, in fact, like this one. It wasn't as sticky as most glosses and I didn't really feel like I had anything on my lips. I think this is because it was a balm.

A few things come out of this blog and my dinner with SEV:
1. You can really find some great products when you least expect it.
2. I'm on my way in the hunt to find the perfect lip gloss.
3. Free things are always a plus (remember what I said about samples).
4. Talking about your problems with your friends will often help you find a solution.
5. Browsing may sometimes have you spending money you didn't expect, but it can and will make you happy!

-A

Photo: NeimanMarcus.com

Lip Smacking

I hate putting anything on my lips. I used to put some glosses on but I really hate how sticky they leave my lips. And if it's windy, my hair tends to blow into my face and get stuck on my lips - so horrible!!

I've tried everything - sticks, glosses, and even lip crayons. I've done everything from Prescriptives to Dior to even Victoria's Secret. Nothing works right. My latest try was with a Bobbi Brown lip crayon. My lips did not look nice, especially because I think the color was just all wrong too (because I refuse to believe it was the Bobbi Brown product that was wrong, specifically because my mom loves how long-lasting that pencil is on her). But I also think that I have become accustomed to a nude lip - and I like it. Colors just make me feel like I'm wearing a mask and, as I've mentioned before, makeup is not a mask!

Last night, I received an order I had placed with Prescriptives. They sent me a free lipstick and of course I tried it out. The color wasn't bad at all.. in the tube. Once I put it on, I felt like I was back in my dance recitals (making me nostalgic of course). But I felt like I needed a side ponytail and to be jolted back to the late 80s/early 90s. Not good for me.

So what to do? I agree that lip color helps finish off a look, but it's certainly so important to get it right. I unfortunately don't have a tip for you makeup lovers out there, but hopefully I'll find something soon that will help you end the search for the perfect lip color!

Until then, I remain, your makeup-loving, bare-lipped guru,
A

Photo: Sephora.com