[Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.]

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: MAC Briar Rose Beauty Powder

Why this should be in your bag:
Ever since my foray into beauty products began, I’ve been obsessed with blush. Not only does it look so pretty in the pan, but it can do amazing things for your look and complexion. If you’re feeling tired or sluggish from all those midterms (welcome to my freaking life), blush is the perfect makeup pick-me-up!

MAC is the creme de la creme of makeup brands. Known for high-quality products in a variety of extremely fun colors and collections, MAC is where it’s at. This little number is part of their latest release, Venomous Villains. The collection was a collaboration with Disney and as a huge Disney fan, I initially picked up the Beauty Powders for the beautiful compacts. However, the product inside was a pleasant surprise!

(It’s Maleficent!)

How to use it:
Beauty Powders are a funny product; some are sheer and shimmery while others, like Briar Rose, function more as a blush. I like to buff a blush brush in the powder and then – using the handy dandy, built-in mirror – apply it to my cheeks, while smiling. I also make sure to blend it up to my hairline, but subtly. The purple-pink color in the pan becomes a gorgeous true pink when applied and gives a natural glow. There is also a white pearl finish to it, which gives some depth.

(Left: Briar Rose in the pan – gorgeous!. Right: heavy swatch.)

CC Rating: A+
Briar Rose gives me the perfect fall-time flush. It’s easy to apply and blends like a dream! Not chalky or powdery, there is really nothing bad I can say about this one! And talk about the bonus of a beautiful, reusable compact and mirror!

I’m in love with MAC Beauty Powders and will be picking more up when they are released! Unfortunately, like many awesome MAC products, Briar Rose is limited edition and sold out on lots of websites. But trust me, scouring ebay (and using Ebates to get some cash back on that purchase!) is definitely worth it for this one!

[Looking to overhaul your makeup bag? Check out Alex's other beauty reviews here.]

Is it just me or is there another “revolutionary” new makeup product introduced every freaking day?! Just walking into Ulta or Sephora (or even Walgreens!) sends many chicas into fits of hysteria, reaching for the nearest brown bag to regulate their breathing. It’s all so overwhelming.

So how can you know which product – among the sea of thousands – is the best? Which does what you need it to do? Which ones are worth the extra money? Let me help. I don’t know every beauty product out there, but I’ve tested a lot of them and I’ll let you know which are worth the money and which are not.

(Disclaimer: This product was provided to me for review purposes)

What it is: Sigma Complete Brush Kit

Why this should be in your bag: Makeup brushes are essential for any girl who wears eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, etc (read: EVERYONE). Like most, I started out with cheap brushes from the local drugstore, but quickly realized that if I’m buying quality makeup, I should also be investing in quality brushes. A brush of exceptional quality will have soft bristles, little fall-out and pick up lots of product. It’s amazing how much of a difference a brush makes in your application. Good brushes will allow you to look polished and your best, blending when they should and depositing just the right amount of color! However, I have a pretty hard time parting with 50 of my hard earned dollars for one measly MAC brush. I’ve been searching for an affordable alternative to MAC (and other luxury brands) and I think Sigma might fit that bill!

How to use it: This section is going to be a bit longer than usual. This set comes with 12 brushes, but I’m just going to review a few of my favorites here! Don’t get me wrong, the whole set is a good buy (you save $73!), but I only have space for standouts!

F40 – Large Angled Contour

This is a great brush for applying brush and highlighters to cheeks. I bought the infamous MAC Stereo Rose and was absolutely dumbfounded with it. It just didn’t look that great on! I never even thought that the brush I used to apply it would make such a huge difference. F40 was perfect for this! It deposited the most color on the apples of my cheeks and then faded back into my hairline. I’ve tested this out with other blushes and used it with contouring bronzer in the hollows of my cheeks with equally great results.

E70 – Medium Angled Shading

I had never tried an angled eyeshadow brush before this one (I know, terrible!). It’s great for not only applying color in the crease, but it’s my favorite for highlighting on the browbone and blending out smokey eyes. It’s soft and holds it shape.

E30 – Pencil

This eye brush is perfect for precise applications of color, like in the crease and along the lashline. It’s great for finishing off a look with some smudging to the lower lashline and has quickly become an essential for me.

CC Rating: B+
Although I find a couple of the brushes in this set inferior to my current collection (for example, I will not be replacing my Kabuki brush with F15 anytime soon), it’s still a great deal. You’re getting near-luxury quality for rock-bottom prices. I give my picks A+, but some of the brushes really aren’t up to snuff. Another one of my favorite things about this set is the brush roll! It’s super high-quality, durable and fits a whole load of brushes. It’s perfect for travel and neat storage of your prized brushes, be them Sigma or other. I think anyone looking to start a brush collection or beef theirs up will be quite happy with Sigma!

When it comes to beauty, if you’re gonna splurge you better make sure it’s worth it. Like these luxe eyeliners, for instance.  They are a step (or five) up from drugstore brands, but guarantee that elusive Wow! factor.  Or why not go for an all out luxury binge?  Chanel’s fall beauty collection is beyond amazing – just check out that nail polish!

For equally fabulous nails on a real-girl budget, look no further than Essie’s new line, inspired by Morticia Addams.  The creatively named colors- Bone Chilling White, Blood Curdling Red, and Midnight Tango- will make your friends green with envy.  Also, the ever-budget-friendly MAC has teamed up with Disney to create Venomous Villains, their newest assortment of gotta-have it makeup.  Starting at $12, these cute compacts are irresistible.

And when you’re ready to end your day in comfort, look no further than compact and foldable footwear that can fit in the tiniest of handbags.  Who says comfy can’t be glamorous?

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I am not a morning person. Never have been, never will be. And it shows on my face in the form of dark circles and tired eyes.

Even though I always want to crawl back into my comfy bed and get more rest, I know that with a touch of the right makeup I can instantly fix that problem. As a girl, I know that no matter how tired I am, I always want to look my best. Therefore, here is a tutorial on how to achieve that bright-eyed, wide-awake look. Even if you received zero hours of sleep, with these steps, nobody will be able to tell!

1. Dab concealer underneath your eyes. Make sure to blend well!

Dark circles under the eyes are probably the most obvious sign of a tired student. By concealing those problem areas, you will be amazed how much more awake you look.

A good concealer will brighten up the undereye area and cover any darkness. I personally love any of Maybelline’s liquid concealers but several of my friends swear by MAC’s Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer as well.

What do you do next? Read the rest (and look your best and brightest) at CollegeFashion.net!

Cuz they do. A lot.

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Fergie works it for MAC.

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In this weekly series, makeup expert Ali will use her makeup know-how to teach us all how to look flawless in class, out at a party, or grabbing coffee with that cutie from Psych 101.]

In order for makeup to keep you looking fresh and beautiful you need to keep up with fresh products. Yes, it can be a sad day to throw out your favorite MAC eyeshadow because its time has expired, but it is necessary for your skin and your overall look (and feel). Below is some important information about how long your makeup should last, and how to stretch out its shelf life. And don’t worry – we won’t judge you if you hold a moment of silence for your favorite products whose time has come.

Mascara: With such close contact to your eyes, mascara is likely to acquire bacteria and, as a result, should be thrown out after 3 months. Don’t believe me? Smell it. Go on, do it. If the mascara is ready to go you’ll notice a different smell, not to mention the mascara will likely not go on as well. Throw it out!

Foundation: Liquid and condensed powder foundations will likely become cakey or cracked after 6 months to a year and then it’s time to toss em. Loose powder foundation will likely last a little longer. Similar rules apply to blush.

Lip-gloss: Will stay fresh for 1 year, maximum 2. When the gloss becomes sticky or gooey it is time to purchase a new one.

Eyes Shadow: Powder shadow lasts about 2 years, and cream shadow should be tossed after 1 year. Again, the make up will become cakey and crease easily when it is past its shelf-life.

Nail Polish: Quality polish will last 2 years, with cheaper polish becoming less effective after a year. To keep polish working great, store it in the refrigerator, and when it becomes thick add a little nail-polish remover to the bottle.

Brushes: When bristles of brushes begin to fall out it is a good idea to throw them out (cheaper brushes will lose bristles first). As brushes are exposed to dirt and bacteria on your face it is important to keep them fresh. In order to preserve brushes make sure to wash them as often as possible, preferably weekly, but at least monthly. Using a small amount of shampoo on your fingers, kneed the brushes in warm water and rinse them thoroughly. Reshape them when they are still damp and allow them to air-dry. (You’ll be amazed how much will come out of the brushes when washing, and you’ll feel much cleaner when applying makeup!)

A few extra tips to extend your makeup’s life:

-Always use brushes instead of your fingers, which will transfer bacteria to the makeup. When applying eye-shadow, disposable applicators can be bought at drug stores and will work just fine.

-Label your makeup with the date you opened it, so you can keep an eye on when to throw it out.

-Don’t keep makeup hanging loosely in your purse where dirt could get in.

-If something smells funny, toss it. And just like with milk or leftovers, when in doubt, throw it out!

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