Lorac

We all know that the only safe tan is a fake one, but if you don't want to commit to self-tanner, it's time to break out the bronzer. The key is to avoid the Malibu Barbie look. "When women want to look tan, a lot of times they will make their entire face tan with bronzer or tinted moisturizer," says Carol Shaw, makeup artist and founder of LORAC cosmetics. "It's too much." What's more, she adds, it can leave the neck white, creating a visible line along the jaw.

For a more natural look, use a shimmer-free powder bronzer. Shaw recommends her LORAC Baked Matte Satin Bronzer, which goes on ultra-sheer but can be built up for more intensity. (On a budget? Try Physicians Formula's version.) Use a brush to dust it where the sun would hit: on your cheekbones, the tip of the nose, your chin, and forehead. "You can dust it on your neck, too, so that your face and neck match," Shaw adds. And don't forget, you can use bronzer on your eyelids for a simple, natural-looking hue, too.

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Whether you loved it or hated it, you've got to hand it to Debra Messing for going a bit bolder with her color scheme last night, particularly when it came to those heavily lined peepers.

The founder of Lorac Cosmetics, Carol Shaw, was the makeup artist behind Messing's look. She applied sultry green and black accents, which complemented Messing's midnight blue Zac Posen gown, keeping the cheeks and lips soft and neutral. And I've got the how-to when you read more

In just a few weeks, Fab and I are headed out to New York City for Spring/Summer Fashion Week 2009. I've already started shopping for my outfits, and I asked you for some beauty suggestions to complete my look. Since I'll be surrounded by intimidating fashion types, I requested suggestions that were professional, yet creatively sassy; trendy, but effortless.

This week it was so difficult to pick just one item from your selections. If I could, I'd pack them all! Team member laratf really rocked the runway on this one for recommending Lorac's Double Feature ($24). I'll be attending multiple shows and working long hours, and this product with multiple uses will help me perk right up. It covers undereye circles, reduces blemishes, and works as a highlighter, so I'll be sure to look wide awake — even if I'm not.

Check out the widget below for some runway-worthy products:

Meow. Sex kitten Gina Gershon knows how to turn heads with her killer smile and effortless sex appeal. She looked stunning at the 2008 Tony Awards channeling old Hollywood with a beautiful diamond-brooch hair accessory and hint of edgy New York spark with her two-toned hair.

Her flawlessly smooth skin was contrasted by dramatic eyes and lips. For those of you who are interested in re-creating her beautiful Broadway makeup look at home, read more

Summertime always breeds safe, fun, sunless bronzing products and I've noticed that a few of the new bronzing-powder compacts contain more than one shade in them. The idea is to create a healthy-looking glow, and I suppose the gradation of colors is a way to achieve that look. Instead of having a flat tan all over your face, the variation of shades creates a more natural effect. Here are five new multicolor powder bronzers on the market for Summer 2008 for you to check out.

• Shiseido The Makeup Multi-Shade Enhancer ($35) contains five shades of shimmery bronzer. Blended together, it can be worn on your face and body and used separately it can double as eye shadows or a highlighter. Also, it is available in two shades.
• Caribbean in a Compact in Sun Bunny ($25) is a dual-shaded bronzer made from silky, light-reflecting powders. Each of the colors can be worn individually or layered together.
• Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer ($28) is a multishaded terracotta baked bronzer that can be used on your face or your body. This marbelized makeup also contains a brush and mirror on the lower level of the compact.
• Sephora Summer Safari Bronzer ($16) is a powder bronzer available in two animal prints depending on your skin tone. Giraffe is light and zebra is dark and coppery. Blend the shades together for a bright, glowy complexion.
• Smashbox Desert Chic Fusion Body Bronzing Powder and Brush Set ($55) contains four tan and bronze shades and comes with a mini-kabuki brush. This oversized bronzer can be worn on your face and body for a healthy, glowing tan.

I don't know about you, but if I'm going to spend $20 on a mascara, it better do a heckuva job. So when LORAC's Visual Effects Mascara ($19.50) claims to "curl, separate, and lengthen," I expect it to do just that. Beauty Product Junkies group member lily8206 really wanted to like this mascara, so let's see how it worked out for her:

"When I tried it at Sephora I used the sample mascara brushes they offer so I didn't get the effect of the special four-sided, contoured brush that is on the LORAC wand. It would be better off with a normal brush because the LORAC 'innovative' brush has some serious problems. The bristles are way too far apart, and therefore way too much product is on the brush — causing eye lashes to clump, big time. Having the bristles on all four sides is a logical idea, but they are oddly long. So I found that on top of it being awkward to use on my top lashes, applying the mascara to my bottom lashes was a serious challenge.

"I bought the midnight blue color, which is a really pretty medium shade of blue. When it is first applied it is a very subtle nice color on the lashes, but it dries quickly into a darker almost black color (losing all hints of blue). If I wanted black mascara I would buy black mascara. I gave it 1.5 stars. Aside from the color issue, I think the actual product could have been promising if the wand had been better designed."

Sounds like this one didn't quite deliver on its promises, and lily8206 will be returning her tube. By now I should be used to my hopes being dashed when it comes to big mascara claims. Sigh. Share your stories in Beauty Product Junkies, and maybe I'll post yours here, too!

It's always fun to play with new makeup colors and products, but sometimes it's hard to shell out the cash for a color when you're just not sure how it's going to look when you leave the store. If you don't live near a major shopping mall or a Sephora, it's even harder to make color choices online. To help alleviate this problem, I've picked out three pretty beauty sets that allow you to try a range of colors for each product before you decide to splurge on the full-sized version.

Thinking about experimenting with a turquoise blue eye shadow, but not quite sure if you can pull it off? Try these Cargo Eyeshadow Color Cards ($24). This set contains 28 single-use sliding tins that can slip right into a pocket or a purse and allow you to test out six different shades of Cargo eye shadow colors. If you find one you like, you can purchase the full-sized version.

To see ways to sample colors for your nails and lips, read more