Review submitted by our product reviewer Eleni

I read about a recently launched prescription formulation that is supposed to grow full, long, dark eyelashes with Brooke Shields as the official spokesperson. It’s called Latisse and the FDA has approved it for patients in the U.S., but Health Canada has not ruled on it yet for prescriptions to Canadians. Having lost the outer halves of both brows to normal (aging) hair loss and many lashes to brittleness, I knew I would love to try Latisse someday.

Imagine my delight when I was asked to try out a lash serum that promised to do everything the prescription product does using natural, conditioning, non-irritating ingredients.

Testing Lash Mantra Eyelash Growth Serum:

It was easy enough to use. For this review, I used Lash Mantra each night on clean eyeleashes for 2-1/2 weeks. I’ll continue using it because I know there are more subtle changes on the way and it likely will take a few more weeks to observe a full growth cycle.

I applied Lash Mantra two different ways – with my fingertips, rubbing the serum into my lashes and working my way to the base, and also using the applicator for the same coverage effect. I did this on my eyebrows as well, concentrating on the outer section where hair no longer grew.

Did I see any results?

Surprisingly, YES – I saw subtle results at the 2-week mark. There are a few short little hairs growing where my eyebrows were bare! My brows look darker too. As for my lashes, they look shiny and less brittle. They have grown a tiny bit.

Maybe I should have snapped a close-up “before” photo so that I can really compare. The real test came yesterday when my friend Dianne accused me of wearing mascara and makeup to our water aerobics class. I denied any such charge, but she didn’t believe me and went to pull at my lashes. HA! I thought when no mascara flaked onto her fingers. She looked perplexed. After that, I didn’t feel like telling her that I was testing Lash Mantra … maybe next week.

Would I buy it? YES

Would I replace my current eyelash serum? I haven’t used a product like this before. There was a different formulation that I tried a few times using a sponge tip applicator, but it was completely useless and ineffective. At least with Lash Mantra, I actually saw some results.

Price: $39 USD

OVERALL REVIEW:

>>> You’ll find more details on this lash-enhancing serum here: Lash Mantra!

The only people who can leave a comment below to participate are the ladies who have sent me a review of some of the products they’ve won in past contests and those who’ve sent me a testimonial for the Beauty has NO age limit book.

I will have loads of reader reviews published later in July and I’m so excited!

I only have one tube of mascara, but given that I already have three tubes of mascara I’m trying and my other testers are quite busy, I’m opening it up to readers.

>>> If you’ve NOT sent me reviews to products you’ve won in past contests (it’s NOT too late) and want to be considered to become a Beauty Match Tester, you still can send me your review. Here are the instructions: Write beauty reviews!

*** Remember, it’s never too late to send me product reviews!***

>>> You can send all your reviews here: Contact us page (pick the second email)

>>> Since I have less and less time on my hands because of the new nutrition site, I’m forced to look to more readers to help with new product testing. If you’ve sent me a review in the past, just leave me a comment below and I’ll randomly pick someone and I’ll mail the mascara to you at the same time I mail all the prizes for the June 2009 contest.

Good luck!

We love products that beautify and disguise all at the same time.

One thing about getting older that’s not so hot is looking tired even when you feel great. It’s even worse when people comment on how run-down you’re looking. Anything that can hide and improve that scenario all at the same time is absolutely welcome in my arsenal of cosmetic tricks.

Developed by plastic surgeon, Dr. Michelle Copeland, this perfect under eye concealer contains Dr. Copeland’s Rewind Eye Formula, which has an exclusive blend of age-defying ingredients for the eye area and has been successful in reducing the appearance of wrinkles and puffiness around eyes.

Testing Dr. Michelle Copeland Ageless Skin under Eye Concealer with Anti-Wrinkle Complex:

A couple of little dabs with the applicator under the eyes … blend lightly with your ring finger and that’s it. The formulation merges perfectly into the skins and disappears while hiding dark circles at the same time. It also leaves the under eye area supple and not dry or overly lined.

I used the medium shade and thought it might look dark on me, but it actually blended beautifully. When I run out of this one, I think I’ll buy the light shade just to see if it’s a better shade for my skin tone.

One problem with this concealer that I didn’t like is that a lot of the product is lost when it escapes from the container and builds up around the wand and neck. I had to tissue it clean often and I don’t like losing that much product.

Did I see any results?

The only result I was hoping for and got was good coverage for my dark under-eye circles. The skin really does get thinner under the eyes as we age and the underlying blood vessels take on a dark look. It’s good to cover up a bit just so as not to look tired all the time. The beauty of this concealer is that it also contains Dr. Copeland’s Rewind Eye Formula – an anti-wrinkle complex.

The skin under my eyes looked refreshed and soft!

Would I buy it? YES – I liked it a lot.

Would I replace my current under eye concealer? I will use this product which retails for $34 USD on a regular basis, but when I need an industrial strength concealer, I’ll have to go with the amazing Boi-ing by Benefit. I also like a light dusting of my mineral foundation under the eyes using a targeted utility brush to apply it when I’m in a rush and want to do a quick, natural face.

OVERALL REVIEW:

Feature by our Editorial Assistant Colleen

I’m sure you’ve all seen those foundation air sprays that make-up artists use on TV whenever you watch any type of makeover show. I remember trying to look for one myself last year because I was so fascinated with it and how it worked.

I also thought it looked so fun to use and there was a different consistency that resulted. When the pros use this product you see how luminous and even the foundation looked on people’s faces. Why wouldn’t you want to try it yourself?

Luminess Air makes it possible for us everyday folks to try it out for ourselves. Their product is called Luminess Air Foundation Spray Wand.

I wouldn’t recommend just trying to use it yourself because you could end up with a big mess.

Luminess provides step-by-step instructions on how to use its product.

There are only three steps but you could easily mess up by putting in too much foundation instead of a few drops like they advise. There are also some videos that you can watch to really see how it’s done: Luminess step-by-step videos.

I don’t think it’s as easy as they show on their videos but there is at least one video to show how you can apply the makeup on yourself. Although they have different shades to match your skin tone, and luckily they have a video to show you how to do this too, this product doesn’t have any guidelines for how to match the product with your skin type.

I like that you can put in any type of product in the spray other than foundation like eye shadow, blush, or bronzer.

I do wonder whether or not if this product is suitable for all skin types. With any kind of new technology and one that seems to be replicating a pro tool, I would definitely be skeptical of the results.

They say that the Luminesss Air is a breakthrough product because they are selling it at 1/16^th of the price of other similar airbrush spraying systems. But at $199.95 USD I would think really hard before you spend all that money on this product and make sure it is something that you really want (especially in these recessionary times). Keep in mind that you may not get the results that they advertise on TV and their website.

If anyone has tried the Luminess Air Foundation Spray Wand with success, we’d love to hear about it!

You might have been motivated enough to clean the exterior of your home like the outer doors, outer light fixtures that were clouded by cobwebs, windows and even your balcony.

Many of you might have also cleaned out your closets and gotten rid of older pieces that aren’t serving you any purpose.

A lot of women might even have changed handbags because now it’s so much more fun to prance about town in a lighter, fresher, spring-like coloured bag.

But the question remains … how many of you have cleaned out your make-up bag and make-up vanity/drawer/closet (closet applies to beauty editors/bloggers and make-up-junkies).

Because I have so many products to test I have to clean out my make-up area ever two or three months, and it occurred to me the other day that this practice would make for an amazing post because I want to know how many of my readers clean out their make-up area on a regular basis.

If you are in the habit of doing this … kudos to you, but if you’ve never thought of doing this in the past, may I offer a few tips that might help you clean out old make-up and make room for new make-up!

I’ve stood in front of the mirror in bathrooms re-applying my lipstick too many times near a woman who was frantically going through her make-up bag trying to find the lipstick she was wearing that evening in a battle field of 12 other tubes of lipstick. Your make-up bag should allow you to carry the essentials for that day while your make-up vanity/drawer/closet should be where you store anything you are not wearing that day.

Also, here are a few other things I want to point out before we go into the steps … unless you’re going to the gym, sleeping over at a friend’s or boyfriend’s or going on vacation there is no need for you to carry your moisturizer and foundation. These are things you apply when your face is freshly washed and that should be it for the day. If you need to retouch your make-up at the end of the day, you’re better off using blotting paper and your pressed powder.

Here are 5 easy steps to help you clean out your beauty area for spring:

1) Boldly throw out anything you don’t need: I know you’ve made the investment and it’s killing you to have to throw out products that you’ve not had fully time to use … but it MUST be done. Sometimes you make the mistake of buying a colour that you simply don’t like anymore … don’t be shy in getting rid of it instead of wearing a colour that doesn’t make you feel fabulous. Also make sure you don’t have an entire little office in that make-up bag. If you have paper clips, post it notes and liquid paper in your make-up bag, it’s time to de-clog and get a smaller make-up bag that will prevent you from hording. One last thing … if you carry sponges in your make-up bag, you either need to make sure you clean them regularly or get rid of them if they look remotely old.

2) Keep ONLY the essentials: Do you really need all those tubes of lipsticks in your make-up bag every single day of the year when you know perfectly well that you’ll use one or maybe two tubes in one day? De-clog that make-up bag by getting rid of all those other tubes by leaving them at home. Some women get away with the 2-in-1 products, but I’ve never been very lucky in that department so I just keep the essentials without any surplus frills.

3) Check the expiry dates: Yes, if you turn that tube or bottle … you’ll notice there is an expiry date and it’s not there for decorative purposes. That’s one good reason to curb your need to buy things in multiples because if you don’t use them, you’ll inevitably have to throw them out. Mascaras that you use daily will tell you quickly when it’s time to replace them because the formula will get so dry that it won’t be worth trying to expend its shelf life. I’ve heard of the 6-months rule when it comes to mascara, 1 year for foundations and 2 years when it comes to eye shadows. My suggestion is to stop by your favourite make-up counter and ask a beauty expert for more specific dates for their products. Also, you know how long you’ve been looking at that product … if you know it’s been way too long … just chuck it!

4) Keep everything clean: Okay, so I’m a neat freak and yes I like to keep things very clean (so I’ve been told). Perhaps, I might take cleanliness to another level (my friends Krista and Natasha would support me here because they are as bad as I am when it comes to cleanliness) and I know not everyone has the same definition of “clean”. That said, ladies, you must keep your make-up clean because you don’t want bacteria to settle in and cause you to break out or worst INFECTIONS!!! If you spill foundation on the side of the bottle … do clean it. If you share your make-up with friends do clean the brushes or tube of lipstick. It’s not that you don’t trust your friends, but it’s just good sense. I would not carry my brushes in a make-up bag unless I covered them because if they rub against other containers and then I use them in my make-up and apply them on my face, I’m concerned that I might react and break out. Since I’m on the subject, I should highlight that washing your make-up case is as important as cleaning what’s inside. You can easy let it soak in warm water and soap (detergent or dishwashing liquid) to remove make-up stains and plain dirt.

5) If you’re not going to use it … pass it on: You know all those “bonus-times” that cosmetic companies have devised to attract women to their counters. We’ve all been guilty for buying products because we HAD to have that make-up case or that special-edition tote bag (yes, Estee Lauder I’m talking to you!). Well how many times do you get home and realize that half of the colours in the promo kit won’t suit you at all. Don’t hold on to them hoping that sooner or later the colour will grow on you … pass it on! You must have friends, nieces, daughters that might use them. I don’t have a daughter of my own, but I do have plenty of daughters of friends to borrow and a few nieces whose eyes light up when they see me holding a bag! There’s no point in holding on to make-up that’s not right for you … even if you got it free.

My best trick is to only carry a very small make-up bag that can only fit 2 lipsticks, 2 lip liners, my blotting paper, feminine protection (for those days when you forget that today is the day), a small pencil sharpener and a little tube of Advil. That’s it! If I’m out for the entire day, I’ll take my pressed powder with me and will place it in another little pouch where I keep my mobile phone and business card holder.

So ladies, which camp do you fall under? Do you clean your make-up bag regularly or is that simply not a priority for you?

Photo by obo-bobolina

If you are going to create perfectly flawless make-up in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond you have to remember the golden rule of creating the perfect make-up: less is more!

Unless you are in your twenties or unless you are going to an event that calls for loads of make-up … then you are doing yourself a disservice by applying layers and layers of make-up. You don’t fool anyone … you just look like you are trying to hide something.

The second golden rule is that you need beautiful skin to have the perfect make-up … so it’s really important to focus on the quality of your skin and making it as healthy looking as possible.

Now when it comes to applying foundation, blush, eye make-up and lip colour, these few tips might help you:

1) Moisturizer: You need to apply a moisturizer even if you have oily or combination skin. You simply need to find a formula suited to your skin type.

2) Primer: I know that Paula Begoun thinks that primers are marketing ploys concocted by savvy cosmetic marketing execs to dupe women out of their hard earned money, but I can tell you that the first time I used a primer … I was hooked and could not believe it had taken me that long to discover this miracle product. A primer will create a perfect canvas for your make-up and in my opinion it helps you use less foundation because everything glides so easily and looks so effortlessly perfect.

You can read about my beef with Paula Begoun here: If you’re not wearing primer before applying your foundation … your make-up is simply not complete!

3) Foundation: As women age, it’s soooooooooo imperative that you use the RIGHT colour of foundation for your skin. Your foundation should NOT be two shades darker or lighter because it ages you terribly. The same apply to using too much foundation. When applying foundation, I’d recommend either your fingers (which I used for decades) or better yet a foundation brush. The day I discovered why I need to drop an extra $40 on a professional foundation brush was a revelation to me. It’s insane how perfectly finished you look. Of course, if you have time and the inclination spraying on your foundation will give you that veil finish. Sponges are my least favourites because they soak up so much of your foundation.

4) Concealer: Some make-up artist will use the concealer before applying the foundation while others will only use it after they’ve applied the foundation. I’ve tried bought and I get far better results when I apply my concealer before applying my foundation … but this might be a little different for you so you might need to test both methods. I apply concealer under my eyes and on any acne spots I want to hide.

5) Pressed and loose powder: I often use both to finish my make-up. You’ll surely want to choose one or the other because foundation is simply not complete without powder.

6) Blush: Blush should be a kiss of colour and not a big geometric shape on each side of your face. A lot of women really overdo it when it comes to applying blush and it does NOT look good at all … you end up looking like someone who hasn’t got a clue on how to properly applying their make-up. My favourite shades of blush are pink and coral shades because they open up the face. I find that some of the greyer shades close my face. The best technique to applying blush properly is the smiling technique. You should smile at yourself in the mirror and apply your blush on the fleshy parts. Once you are done, you should use your finishing powder brush to even out your blush.

7) Eyes: I know this is a bit controversial and some make-up artists like to counter the entire eye with a black pencil, but in my opinion this worked well when I was 18 or 19 and still clubbing like it was 1999! At my age and with the number of hours I work there is no way I want to close my eyes by countering them entirely with a black pencil. I find the look severe and I find that it accentuates the puffiness under my eyes on those days where I didn’t get a good night’s rest. When it comes to eye make-up, I prefer to keep the black pencil or liquid eyeliner on the top of my lid. During the day, I much prefer a softer look that can take you from the office to cocktails with friends. During the night, I think the smoky eye is a winner because it looks seductive. Luckily, we know that the smoky eye doesn’t have to be done with a black shadow … you can use any colour that compliments your eye colour. My colour of choice when it comes to a smoky eye is purple!

* As women age, I think it’s important not to put on too much eye shadow and make sure you choose shades that compliment your face. As you age, you’ll surely notice deeper wrinkles and creases and you’ll want to take that into consideration when it comes to applying your eye shadow in order not to highlight things you might not want to highlight.

* Fake eyelashes are more popular now than ever. After having had the experience of wearing them for an entire afternoon I must say they do make you feel glamorous, but you have to keep in mind that using pieces will give you a softer and more natural look than using an entire row of fake eyelashes. I’d say your best bet is to actually meet with a make-up artist at a counter (MAC Cosmetics is notorious for this type of thing) and let a beauty expert show you how to properly apply your fake eyelashes.

* While on the topic of beauty experts, a lot of women would win by booking a make-up session with a make-up artist at the cosmetic counter of their choice to learn how to properly apply eye shadow. MAC Cosmetics and Bobby Brown constantly fly their top make-up artists all over North America to teach women how to use their products. I’d say if you are shy in apply eye make-up, book one of those appointments. Don’t make the mistake of thinking this only applies if you are looking for elaborate make-up. Sitting down with a make-up artist even when you are looking for a more natural and low maintenance look makes perfect sense as you age because you really want to learn how to adjust your make-up routine to the changes you see reflected in the mirror.

#8) Mascara: Mascara is an extremely important part of eye make-up and frankly I think that in many cases I find that a good night’s worth of rest and two coats of mascara is all I need for the perfect eye make-up! You can choose different formulas of mascara to address any issue you have. It’s important to properly apply mascara or else it will only end up being a distraction to people looking at you. Make sure you start at the root of your lashes and zigzag your way to the tips.

9) Lips: The days of the dark lip pencil are GONE! It makes your mouth look smaller and it also makes your mouth look small. When it comes to choosing the perfect shade of colour … it’s a combination of your skin tone, the colour of your eye make-up (if you’re wearing any) and the shade of blush you’re using. I always prefer to define my lips with a colour that MATCHES my lip colour and I ALWAYS apply it with a soft hand so that it defines without standing out. Your lip colour and the lipstick colour will dictate what which shade of lip pencil to use. You can choose to apply the lip straight out of the tube or to use a pencil. The pencil will always give you a more finished pout.

Lipstick or lip gloss? I personally don’t believe in discrimination and I indulge in both. That said, I do have a soft spot for lip gloss and when I do apply lipstick I tend to favour the sheer lipstick formulas that give colour but not the full intensity of the more saturated lipstick.

There must be millions of shades of lipstick, lip gloss, sheer lipstick and lip stains on the market and you have to be a bit daring and experiment with colour in order to find the right shade for you!

These nine steps may seem like a lot, but they don’t take that much time. If I’m not doing a smoky eye, I will take about 10 minutes to put on the perfect face.  I don’t have that much time because I have quite a busy schedule, but there is ALWAYS time for mascara, blush and a lip colour and that changes your face instantly!

I’ll add one last thing about make-up … we’re in 2009 and there is NO excuse for using the little tiny brushes and sponges that come with the make-up you buy. Making the investment in good quality make-up brushes is essential. They will last you forever and they will help you better apply your make-up. Companies like Sephora, MAC Cosmetics and Beaute Cosmetics have mastered the art of producing professional quality brushes. I must own three different sets of MAC Cosmetic brushes and I always get them when they have their holiday sets. These sets used to only be sold in December and you used to have to buy them when they came out because they sold out so quickly. Lately, I’ve noticed that MAC Cosmetics produces a few summertime sets. You cannot beat the prices and quality on these brushes!

Photo by Enid Yu

Feature by our Editorial Assistant Colleen

It seems like mineral-based foundations are catching on and everyone’s trying to create their own version. Well now it’s CoverGirl’s turn. CoverGirl’s got a whole collection called TRUBlend MicroMinerals aimed at giving us the natural look that we all crave.

CoverGirl’s providing a whole slew of cosmetics to compliment their micromineral foundation including blush, bronzer and a finishing veil – this is a translucent powder that is supposed to give your skin an airbrushed look. All of these products come with its own brush so you won’t have to fuss over getting one.

The nice thing about CoverGirl cosmetics is that their site always provides a link to show you how to apply their make-up. I would check it out if you’ve never applied mineral-based make-up before: How to apply your TruBlend MicroMinerals foundation.

1) TruBlend MicroMinerals Foundation

There are 10 shades for you to choose from:

- Ivory

- Classic Ivory

- Creamy Natural

- Buff Beige

- Medium Light

- Natural Beige

- Warm Beige

- Soft Honey

- Classic Tan

- Toasted Almond

>>> What are the benefits of using the TruBlend MicroMinerals foundation?

This foundation is that its lightweight coverage doesn’t clog your pores. The foundation can leave your face with a sheer coverage if that’s what you’re looking for or a full coverage that looks natural. That natural look comes from the fact that the foundation includes high amounts of naturally-derived ingredients and minerals.

“My preference is always natural looking skin … so if you’re looking to put your best face forward this season then the products in the TRUBlend MicroMinerals collection are your “go-to” for seamless natural coverage that allows you to build your look in the most effective and natural looking way.” – Paul Venoit, celebrity make-up artist, make-up consultant for CoverGirl and co-host of “Look Alike”.

2) TruBlend MicroMinerals Bronzer

It’s available in: Natural Bronze

>>> Benefits: The bronzer aims to please those of you who want that sun-kissed glow in a natural way.

3) TruBlend MicroMinerals Blush

colour: Natural Rose and Shimmering Sands

>>> Benefits: This blush adds another dimension to your natural look by the foundation and bronzer. But, this blush can also go solo for a natural-looking flush of colour. The application brush that comes with the blush helps you apply an even flush.

4) TRUBlend MicroMinerals Finishing Veil

colour: Finishing Veil

>>> Benefits: The finishing veil adds the airbrushed look that makes your skin look flawless. Again, like the blush and bronzer, you can wear this on top of the other TruBlend MicroMineral products or on its own.

” The look is clean and above all, professional with five times finer minerals than the leading minerals make-up…The Finishing Veil, this product, lightly dusted on the face at the end of your application gives you a natural looking airbrush finish … what girl isn’t looking for that?! ” – Paul Venoit.

Products in the CoverGirl TRUblend MicroMinerals collection will be available nationwide for $10.99 US/$13.99 CAD.

I’m really partial to Maybelline mascaras. It’s not because they are priced so attractively (regardless if the economy is going up or down), but because they work so well. It’s one thing to buy inexpensive make-up but if it’s crap (pardon my German) then what’s the point?

I’ve been using Maybelline in between other mascaras I test for years. I find that their product delivers every time and there are so many different formulas that you can use.

I believe that as women age, mascara (that is well applied, aka NOT like Tammy Faye Baker) is such an easy way of opening your eyes and your face. I know that so many women have issues with the way their faces and bodies look, but from candid discussions with friends and contacts, women usually feel quite happy with their eyes overall. So I say … highlight your eyes as much as you can!

A few months ago I was going on-and-on-and-on about the Maybelline Colossal and the -Maybelline New York XXL Extensions mascaras because I really LOVE those two formulas and now you’ll surely hear me banter about the new Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara.

The reasons I love the Maybelline Colossal so much is because it gives you arresting eye lashes while the Maybelline New York XXL Extensions gives me lashes that look like they are two kilometres long! I’d say that the Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara is a more natural look … you know a more Julia Roberts type of natural.

Like most Maybelline mascaras, this is a clump-free formula that will have your eyes ready for the gym, a day with the kids at the park or for hanging out with your girlfriend over brunch!

The Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara retails for $9.99 CAD/$ 6.99 US and it’s so easy for you to find it at most drugstores and Wal-Mart across the US and Canada.

Here are some pretty cool photos from the advertisements shots of the Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara:

Maybelline model being prepped for her photo shoot:

Maybelline model getting the last minute touch up on her make-up (are those fake eye lashes I see? – WOW do I ever love the rings on that make-up artist)

Another Maybelline model getting ready to strike a pause:

A few last minute lighting adjustments around the Maybelline model:

Voila – the finished Maybelline look:

Here are a few of the posts I’ve written on the Maybelline mascaras:

Should you buy Cover Girl Lash Blast or Maybelline Colossal Mascara?

Review: Which are my favourite mascaras?

YSL Beauty is not for the faint at heart because the price tag is reflective of the status of this prestigious French cosmetic line.

If you’ve been reading my site for a while then you know that Yves Saint Laurent Beauty is the first line of make-up I bought as a teenager with my allowance money. The colours were perfect then and they still are now.

Now, when it comes to foundations … alas, YSL’s shades don’t suit all shades of skin. I’ve found their dark shades to be a tab bit too ashy or too light or too something.

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to find the right shade of foundation as you age ladies. Nothing (I mean NOTHING) will age you faster than the wrong shade or foundation or wearing too much foundation.

After years of trying dozens of foundations, there is only one brand that does it for me … and that’s Virtual Make-up by Prescriptives.

That said, since the world is made of so many beautiful skin complexions, so those who can find their shades under the YSL label will be happy to know that now they can take their foundation on the road with them in a stylist and elegant way. The new YSL compact comes in the trademark golden box that is soooooooooooooo beautiful. It also comes with the sponge applicator that is conveniently stored in a hidden compartment.

The new Matt Touch Compact Foundation by YSL Beauty is ultra soft and has a comfortable texture that gives your complexion a flawless and long-lasting finish that will remain matte throughout the day and will keep oiliness and shine to a minimum. And your skin stays protected from the sun by the SPF20.

The new Matt Touch Compact Foundation by YSL Beauty comes in 10 shades (ivory, blond, opal, sand, peach, gold beige, pink beige, amber, honey and cinnamon) … so you might be lucky enough to find your own perfect shade!

The entire YSL cosmetic line has never been recession-friendly and it’s not going to start now. Yves Saint Laurent is a luxury brand and you will have to fork out $72 CAD/$57 US for this foundation!

You’ll find YSL beauty at major department stores in the U.S. and Canada. You can also buy it directly from their Web sites: Yves Saint Laurent YSL Beauty

I was watching a episode of “The View” and they had a special feature on make-up you can buy for $10 to help you stay beautiful on a budget during the recession.

I quickly grabbed a piece of paper and started writing because I think a lot of women are trying to adjust how they shop for cosmetics this season.

Canadian and international readers will have to keep in mind that some of the products on this list can only be found in the U.S., but the point is that during a recession, you’ll have to be open to try new brands you’ve never tried before if they allow you to remain on budget.

Barbara Walters’ make-up artist’s (Lori Klein) list of make-up under $10!

1) Max Factor Pan-Stick foundation eight shades (retails for $7)

2) Wet & Wild Ultimate eye shadow palette which comes in eight shades (retails for $4.99)

3) L’Oreal Liquid Telescopic Precision Eyeliner (retails for $7.99, but you might find it at Wal-Mart USA for as little as $6.58!)

4) CoverGirl Lash Blast (retails for $8.95, but I’ve seen it at $7.99 here in Canada so I’m such U.S. readers can get it much cheaper). Lori Klein didn’t talk about Maybelline mascaras that are all under $10 here in Canada so you know they must be about $7.99-$8.99 in the U.S. I equally love both CoverGirl AND Maybelline because their formulas are amazing and you cannot beat that price!

5) Andrea Lashes (these fake eyelashes retail for a measly $3.29)!

6) Revlon Powder Blush which comes in 14 shades (retails for $9.79)

7) Black Radiance Velvet & Glow Color & Shimmer for Face which comes in four shades (retails for $4.19, but you can find it online for as little as $3.99). This shimmer you can use on your face, cheeks and forehead.

#8) Plump Potion Lip Gloss (retails $9.95). Believe it or not, but for $9.95 you’ll get some great results because the product works quickly and you’ll notice the difference in about five minutes.

9) CoverGirl Lipstain (retails $7.29). We had featured this new CoverGirl product and you can read the full feature here: CoverGirl launches Outlast Lipstain … a lip stain that will actually last!

10) OPI Nail Polish (retails for $6.99). Lori Klein only features OPI (which I love), but Essie, Nicole by OPI and Zoya also retail for less than $10 here in Canada so it’s obvious that Americans can get a better price. Nothing says “pretty” like a fresh manicure. If you can no longer afford a weekly manicure, do your nails yourself as best as you can and finish it off with a fabulous nail polish colour. This season will feature some extraordinary shades.

During the review Lori Klein talked about the new OPI Nic’s Sticks which allows you to have an on-the-go-manicure. I’ve not tried it yet, but it’s getting good reviews on the blogosphere.

You can read all about Nail Polish trends for spring 2009 here:   Spring 2009 nail polish trends