Today I'll cover three  Summer 2014 and Fall 2014 hottest new products, trends and treatments! I'll overview what they do, where to get them and how to wear them.

Lip Stains and Balm Stains: Lip stains and Balm Stains are sheer yet pigmented and moisturizing lip tints that subtly yet effectively give the lips a more natural pop of color instead of the full, thick and creamy pigment of a lipstick. Lip stains have become extremely popular this summer and are projected to remain so! Lip stains give off a sultry, natural and sleek effect. From natural tones to funky tones they come in every pigment.

Who they work for: Anyone who wants a pop of color on their lips, yet doesn't want the full on, thick effect of lipstick. Stains are known for their long lasting appeal, moisturizing effect and unique pigments. The packaging for lip stains usually comes in a wand like pointed tipped applicator, or a pencil like stick pigment which is great for applying quickly and efficiently! Stains are not full on pigments, so they work for anyone new to lip color, or for someone who wants a subdued version of a pigment.

What else are they used for?: These stains also work wonderfully as cheek tints! Runway MUA's are constantly using them not only to stain lips, but cheeks and even eyelids!

My pick for best drugstore brand: Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain. Each shade features its own succulent, fruity flavor and scent. Rollerball tip precisely applies color. Unique shades and flavors in a convenient stain that won't feather or fade throughout the day. The gel formula comes in 10 vibrant shades that match any look or mood. Price: About $5.99

My pick for best specialty brand: Tarte Lipsurgence Matte Lip Tint.  Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Stains are peppermint-infused and glide on smooth for a rich matte finish that will stay all day. Each of the matte shades boasts the high-pigment concentration we love from lip tints, but unlike drying lipsticks, these stains are infused with a High-Performance Natural  technology, which is clinically proven to increase moisture content by an astonishing 6000% after 28 days. Paraben and sulfate free! Price: About $24.00

Hottest lip stain pigment right now: Violet! Thank Lorde for unleashing a wave of violet and purple lip stain trends!

Gel Nails and Sand Nails: Gel and Sand nails are hitting the markets by storm, even drugstore brands have introduced these salon quality trends. Gel nails are an alternative to acrylics or regular nail polishes with benefits to the natural nail and staying power versus regular nail lacquers. Gel nails usually require a solar box to cure, which is great for the muscles in the hand! Most drugstore brands come with a solar curing machine. Salon manicurists will do this for you. Sand nails are nails painted with a sand blasted effect and grain giving them fashionable new texture.

Who they work for: Gel nails for the anyone on the go who wants a polish that will stay longer than a lacquer, but hate the time that needs to be put in to upkeep with acrylics. Gel has a longer wearablity window, and is healthier for the natural nail. Gel also looks more natural when your nails grow out. Sand blasted nails are great for the fashionista looking for something new for her nails. Sand blasted nails are unique in texture and appearance, and feel like sandpaper. Glittery sand blast lacquers usually dry faster and stay put better than normal glitter lacquers. Sand nail lacquer in general stays better on the nail than regular polishes and look creative to boot.

My pick for best drugstore brand GEL: Nutra Nail Gel Perfect UV-free Gel Color: This one is  great for beginners because it requires no UV or Solar curing machine. Ding-free protection. Patent leather shine. The first & only patented UV-free gel-color technology. Quick & easy application. No basecoat or topcoat needed. All you need is in the box. Gel-Color activates to form a rock solid shield. So glossy it looks wet! Comes in an array of colors! Price: About $11.99

My pick for best speciality brand GEL: Sephora by OPI gelshine At Home Gel Color  System: Forget the salon and give yourself a professional gel manicure! This kit comes with everything you need. Gel Base Coat, LED Solar UV light for curing, Gel Top Coat, Gel Nail Color, Nail Cleanser, Nail Buffer, Nail Gel Remover, Cuticle Oil, Cuticle Remover and gloves! Sephora by OPI gelshine At-Home Gel Colour System delivers optimal results with salon technology. This Sephora exclusive is fully loaded with all the necessary tools for the perfect at-home gel manicure, featuring the highest quality gel formula on the market, and one of fastest LED cures with the smartest removal system. With invincible wear for up to two weeks, zero chipping, zero dry time, and the highest shine available, the patented, unique, professional grade formula is sure to leave your nails ultra-glossy and perfectly pretty. Price: About $159.00

My pick for best drugstore AND specialty brand Sand Lacquer:OPI Liquid Sand Lacquer. OPI is now sold in Sally Beauty supply stores and is also a specialty, high quality brand! You can tell is a color is sand due to the band around the handle of the bottle which will say "liquidsand' on it. This is a much easier and simpler look to achieve than the gel. You just swipe it on a clean nail! Price: About $9.00

Hottest GEL AND SAND nail color right now: Metallic! From Sand tones to Gel tones metallics are all the rage. Gold, Silver, Metallics paired with glitter and Metallics paired with nudes seem to be hitting the runway in full force.

Bronzer, Blush and Highlight Trios: With more of the population getting into and learning about the magic of highlighting and contouring compact trios that include a blush, highlight and bronzer/contour shade are popping up everywhere. These trios can be great if you're confused about what tones to use for a contour routine, or just want to make sure the tones you are using all properly correlate in shade. They make choosing a basic highlight and contour routine easy, and there is a massive array of palettes to choose from.

 
Who they work for: Trio compacts or palettes for contouring, highlighting and adding blush work for almost anyone needing a simple fix for their routine. These palettes come in many shades, textures, tones and finishes and can be customized to each person's skin. If you're looking for a particular type of look or know what tones to use already, you made prefer just going out and buying individual highlights, contours or blush shades to your preference. However this is an easy way to have a contour/highlight routine handy that works! Mix and match or stick to a palette you can count on.

My pick for best drugstore brand: Revlon Photoready Sculpting Blush Palette. This palette may say "blush" but the sculpting addition to the title gives it away as the fabulous, yet simple contour and highlight trio that it really is. They most likely didn't add "contour' to the title in order not to confuse those unsure of what contouring and highlighting is. You know how I love my Revlon Photoready! This subset of this brand works amazing for film and off camera as well. Which is saying a lot! Most drugstore brands do not hold up to film and tv specifications, so the fact that this does is saying a lot.  This palette comes in four different skin tones, pink, peach, neutral and berry. Gives a believable, natural yet sculpted look! Use the bronzed, darker shade as your contour, the lightest shade as your highlight and your blush tone as of course, blush! Blend well and there you go, easy! Oil free, talc free, fragrance free, paraben free. Price: About $7.50

My pick for best specialty brand: Urban Decay Naked Flushed. With four different palettes to choose from to best match your skin tone this trio works wonderfully as a sun-kissed highlight, contour and blush regime. Use the darkest bronze shade as a contour, your lightest shade as your highlight, and your blush again of course as your blush tone. Blend! Use these pressed powders individually or blend them together to create just the right effect. Urban Decay’s micronized, jet-milled formula has a luxe, feather light texture that feels amazing on your skin and provides a flawless finish. Light-diffusing particles enhance and perfect to for a fresh, glowy look, even after a late night. The color is intensely pigmented yet blends beautifully, and the universal shades are versatile enough for any skintone. Price: About $30.00

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