Step up your summer sizzle with HOT pink. A sheer flush of pink on cheeks is the sweetest way to blush.  A flash of hot pink on toes or lips can perk up your mood and attitude.

Check out my favorite pretty pinks for summer:

1.  Nails: OPI That’s Hot Pink — $4.90 amazon.com

2.  Lips: Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick in Sketch Pink 864 — $26 sephora.com

3.  Lips: Make Up For Ever Glossy Full Couleur Lip Gloss #6 — $19 sephora.com

4.  Cheeks: Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Moist Glow Cheek Color, Liquifuschia — $24 beauty.com

5.  Cheeks: Maybelline Dream Mouse Blush in Rose Petal — $5.99 drugstore.com

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If there on product I am fanatical about, it’s concealer. My dark circles have been the source of much “research” when it comes to concealers.  So I continually try new concealers; there are some that I still stand by and I have added some new ones to my favorites list.  With that being said, here is my Blinging Beauty Best in Beauty – Concealers.

Best in Concealers 2010

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It’s Friday!  How are you going to get your fierce on? I have been inspired by Alicia Keys beautiful, classy and hot look at the AMA’s.  On the red carpet and while delivering her rocking performance, Alicia looked fabulous.  More than I can say about some other performers….

Alicia Keys Red Carpet 2009 AMA’s Getty Images

Alicia is head to toe in blue with an emphasis on the blinging blue Armani Prive’ dress. And just when you thougt it was a fashion faux pas to match your purse to your shoes to your dress to your makeup, Alicia does it and proves all us naysayers dead wrong.

Let’s check out the makeup:

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Rihanna Red Carpet 2009 AMA

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Snapfire Image

So you partied a bit too much over the weekend. Or maybe your sick child kept you up all night. Whatever the case, your face is proof positive that you had a hard night. No worries. Save face with these simple fixes for face fatigue. Remember, fake it till you make it – to bed tonight that is.

1. Dull, lackluster skin.

Whether it’s from too much alcohol or from sheer exhaustion, nothing says night of the living dead like a complexion without life. Don’t cover up with a heavy foundation. Instead infuse life to your skin with a tinted moisturizer. Triple duty products that provide color (check), moisture (check) and SPF (check) you will have instant glow. You can even find tinted moisturizer with illumination.

Brands that work:

• Almay
• Laura Mercier
• Stila

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You have seen her. She is really cute and sassy, and she is probably your grandmother or great grandmother. And she has got those rouged up cheeks.  I mean you can see those pink cheeks coming from a mile away.  She has just gotten carried away with the blush.  Let’s just blame her eyesight on her over application.  Now granny isn’t the only one I see making blush blunders.  Oh nooooo.  Ladies who should know better are applying enough blush to  look  like kewpie dolls.  Or they look like they are stuck in the disco days.  So let’s review what blush to wear for your skin tone, type and where to place it.

Let’s start with powder blush today.   Pick brands that have a higher saturation of color for longer wearability.  Powder blushes with a hint of shimmer are beautiful because the shimmer acts as a light reflector, making the skin look luminous.  Women over40 definitely need to use blush with a hint of shimmer.  NARS knew this long ago when he created the best selling blush of all time, Orgasm.  Be sure to use a fluffy brush to apply your powder blush. 

Laura Geller Baked Blush Golden Apricot

Powder blush works well for all skin types.

Fair skins do best with rosy or pink tones.  Try Fresh FreshFace Blush Powder in Petal Pink. $28 I love the flush this gives the cheeks and often use it on my fairest brides.  Don’t be deceived by the pale pink color, this blush is loaded with pigment. 

 Tanned skin , olive skin  and light golden deep tones look beautiful whth coral blushes  or neutral blushes flecked with shimmer. Just look how Alicia Keys glows with her blushing cheeks.   Two blushes that are hands down gorgeous on this skin are NARS Orgasm and Laura Geller Baked Blush in Golden Apricot.  $29.50

Alicia Keys BET Awards June 28, 2009

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I don’t know about you, but in addition to it being summer, I am experiencing my personal summers as well.  That means I can break into a sweat at any given time.  It’s pretty embarassing, but I have learned to embrace my “dewy” look.  Hey, others pay serious bling to get that dewy look and all I have to do is have my hormones think about being 50 and there I go.

At any rate, I love that there are so many options for waterproof makeup for those of us who experience hot flashes.  These waterproof makeup options also work well for poolside, time at the beach, jet skiing, working it out at the club and just general pretty long-wear makeup.  Or, if you are a celebrity, keeping makeup fresh for hours during a long drawn-out awards ceremony is crucial.  I love how pretty Keri Hilson looked on the red carpet at the recent BET Awards.

Keri Hilson at 2009 BET Awards Getty Images

I’d like to focus on eyes as that seems to be the area that most of us are concerned about when it comes to wearability.  Here are my top 5 picks:

1. Waterproof Eyebrows

I am an eyebrow fanatic.  It seems to be the first no second (teeth are first) thing that I notice about a person.  Prefect eyebrows insure that you have much less to do with your eye makeup in general.  They frame the face, give lift ( if shaped correctly) and  bring eyes to life.

Try:

Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyebrow Corrector

A waterproof eyebrow defining cream in a tube. $19 Apply with a stiff angle brush.  Fills, defines, and intensifies brows with natural-looking, stay-put color.  The result remains flawless throughout the day and holds up under all conditions (water, heat, etc).

2. Waterproof  Eyeshadow

Creamy waterproof eyeshadow forumlas are wonderful.  If you have oily eyelids, or crepy eyelids or if your eyeshadow tends to fade, long-wearing waterproof formulas are for you. 

Try:

Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour  $22
Lush metallic color floats across the eye leaving a gorgeous, shimmering sheen. High metallic pearl. Waterproof, lightweight, and non-greasy. All of the colors are perfect for a sultry summer eye, but my favorites are Alloy and Burnished Copper.  With the easy-to-use cream formula, all you need are your fingers to create a beautiful summer eyeshadow look!
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Celebrities are popping up in blue eye makeup on the red carpet as well as  making the blue eye makeup trend and everyday staple.  As a makeup artsit and a general consumer of everything makeup, I have known for years that wearing some blue around the eyes can make the eyes shine!  Blue brightens the whites — perfect for those days when you are looking as tired as you feel.  It’s not as harsh as black, so blue eyeliner or blue eyeshadow can impart a more youthful appearance.  The key is finding the right blue.

Rihanna is the most recent celebrity to jump on the blue eye makeup bandwagon.  I love the way Rihanna is always at the forefront of fashion and beauty.  She is not afraid to take a chance with edgy looks.  Her edginess balances her beauty, making her a blinging beauty icon at her early age.  Check out Rhinna in electric blue eyeliner.  This is one of my favorite looks.  I have been a fan of blue eyeliner for years and this is one trend that I think is here to stay.  BLINGING BLUE EYE MAKEUP!

Rihanna's Eyes Look Even More Amazing with Electric Blue Eyeliner

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 Summer is almost here and it’s time to look like you are embracing the lively fresh face of summer.  I don’t care if you don’t feel like it, do it anyway.  It’s pretty easy.  First of all, get rid of black eyeliner.  Unless of course you are a die hard goth.  Leave that dark black smokey eye for fall and winter.  Brighten up, lighten up.  Look alive!  I have a few tips on how to give your best summer face without breaking the bank, and without adding a half hour to your makeup routine. 

Smashbox Bronze Liner

 I am a makeup artist and I’m a vain woman  concerned about my appearance.  So of course I know it’s crucial to wear eyeliner.  Leave me on a desert island, and I’m positive that my tip ten list will include at least nine makeup items– eyeliner most definitely included, in case a handsome hunk comes to my rescue —  and skin care — SPF is a necessity.  Back to eyeliner.  Floral prints are a huge  summer trend; you can find florals on every thing from footwear to designer wear.  What better way is there to link your fashion trend with your makeup than a pop of color eyeliner?  NONE!  Put the black eyeliner in the drawer and update your makeup arsenal with a couple liners in gel or pencil for a vivacious summer face.

I have already jumped on the bandwagon and here are a few of my favorite choices for colorful rims.  Not only will you look fresh, but more youthful.  Watch your eyes come to life!

MUFE Aqua Eyes

I am a long time fan of these eyeliners. For summer check out the colors with shimmer, Ivy Shimmer, Bronze Shimmer and Black Mauve Shimmer.  The addition of shimmer brightens eyes and is a perfect pick-me-up for tired eyes.  I have been wearing the Ivy Shimmer and have been getting puhlenty of compliments

 2.  Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes $17 or travel set of 5 for $35 

These waterproof pencils provide luminous lining and intensifies eyes with iridescent mother-of-pearl.  Love these! Perfect for humid summer weather, beach, pool or working up a sweat on the dance floor.  These pencils just glide on and are perfect for the novice liner or if you have been lining for years.

3.  Sephora Brand Nano Eyeliner $5

These petite pencils pack a powerful punch of pigment.  My personal favorite are Wild Spirit, Silver Green and Golden Sand.  Forumlated with Shea butter, they make lining a smooth experience.  Plus the price is right so you can stock up on a few of these color pops for an updated summer look.

One last tip:  So for evening maybe you do want to pump up the look, rim your eyes, upper and lower with your color of choice.  Top with lots of mascara on top lashes only and you will have a sexy, sultry summer look.  Finish with a dusting of light blush and nude glossy lips and you are good to go.

Color eyeliner — that’s blinging beauty!