ARE WE BITTER THAT, as soon as we threw our superdelegate support behind a certain perfect, thin, liquid Shishedo eyeliner, the company discontinued the darn thing? Yes, but that won't stop us from campaigning for Hourglass' new Calligraphy's Liquid Liner ($32, Sephora.com).

Like our late, great peeper prettifier, this dark and lovely stuff comes in sleek pen form. It slides on like a graceful little Sharpie, leaving a skinny smudge that's more Lauren Bacall than late-era Bette Davis. We expect to keep it in our bag through the election season, especially since it'd be easy to apply in the back of cab speeding us to some glamorous inaugural ball.

RUBBING MOISTURIZING goop on hair before going to sleep begets hideous acne nightmares. These fears were assuaged by John Frieda Frizz-Ease Creme Serum Night ($10, drugstores), which one applies to dry hair before bed.

It didn't leave pools of grease on the pillow (it didn't even leave a scent), and once hair was washed and dried, it was smoother.

WE'RE ALL ABOUT metallics, so we were hot to try the I Spa at the Willard's new dusting of real 24K gold powder ($30, 202-942-2700). Applied with a brush the size of a small orange, it can be added to any facial, body treatment or massage. The Jane Iredale powder is made of superfine mica, 24K gold leaf and iron oxides.

Spa Director Annie Gaye thinks it is best on the decolletage, but you can go for broke (at no extra charge) and have it applied to the face (our idea, but looked weird) and legs. It's subtly sparkly and doesn't get all over your clothes. Hello, sunny afternoon or romantic dinner!

Written by Express contributor Stephanie Jones

LET'S BE HONEST. You already own mascara. Sure, you always want more, but you want new mascara if it does something spectacular to your lashes. Physicians Formula Plump Potion ($9, drugstores) claims to have a "7x plumping effect." Never mind that lashes actually cannot be "plumped."

The bottle resembles a test tube, but don't let that fool you into thinking that you'll get your regular lashes, multiplied by exactly seven. You'll get thicker Pat Benatar-like lashes, yes, exactly like every other mascara. This one is rather clump-free, but the brush is bulky and awkward. Life is full of trade-offs. Don't forget that.

WITH ITS PRETTY PINK shade, Clinique's Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief ($34 for 1.7 ounces, department stores) screams "girly product." But when you can convince a manly-man husband to smear the soothing goo on his sunburned face, you know there has to be some substance behind the style.

Like the original Moisture Surge, it's an excellent extreme moisturizer for combination skin — leaving dry patches smooth and plump with nary an oil slick in sight. Just tell the guys it's like Gatorade for your face.

Written by Express contributor Erin Clements Rushing

YOU REMEMBER THAT oh-so-popular saying, "bronze as a baby's bottom"? No? Never heard of it? Well, that might have something to do with the fact that most people don't usually associate being tan with bare naked infants. Yet ... Enter Lancome. New for this season is their Star Bronzer in Sun Cherub ($50, Lancome-usa.com), a "sensual" (seriously, their words) bronzing powder emblazoned with an exposed baby Cupid and his chubby hind quarters.

Oddly chosen imagery aside, it's a decent bronzer, and it comes in a giant pan. So, if the baby derriere doesn't freak you out, feel free to enjoy and get your glamorous glow on.

Written by Express contributor Erin Clements Rushing

MORE THAN JUST A mouthful, phthalates (THAL-ates) are chemicals used in lipsticks, perfumes, nail polishes and a gazillion other products, from toys to vinyl flooring. Whether the small amounts found in makeup are harmful is up for debate (the FDA says there's insufficient evidence to call them a risk), but phthalates have been linked to breast cancer and other ills. And they're not always listed on labels. Yet phthalate-free lipsticks do exist, so you can pucker up without fearing pesky pollutants.

» 1) Ecco Bella's Vitamin E Lip Smoother ($15, Eccobella.com) combines balm and hue for a colorful duo. Kind of like peanut butter and jelly. Or Joanie and Chachi.

» 2) Dr. Hauschka ($21, Whole Foods) prescribes this little number, which goes on smooth and smells of herbal tea. Butter, oils and five different waxes keep thirsty lips moist.

Continue Reading "Lipsticks Without Icky Chemicals: Worn Free" »

NVEY'S ECO ORGANIC ERASE ($30, Sephora) just may be the perfect concealer. A tiny swipe subtly obliterates blemishes, freckles and dark under eyes. Plus, it's organic, so it's trendy — er, "eco-friendly."

Alas, perfection and variety are often mutually exclusive terms, and the magic formula is available only in two light shades, "neutral" and "medium." So, if you are one of the lucky few who can fit into this glass slipper of makeup, congrats. May you and your awesome concealer live happily ever after.

Written by Express contributor Erin Clements Rushing

WE'VE ALWAYS APPRECIATED the way that resident "What Not to Wear" makeup artist Carmindy advocates a natural, minimalist look. Which is why we were especially dismayed when testing Sally Hansen's new Natural Beauty line, supposedly inspired by the TLC pixie.

The Sheerest Cream Bronzer ($13, Ulta.com) goes on like war paint — muddy clay war paint designed to intimidate your enemies by making you appear fiercely unwashed. And, sadly, the Sun Glowed Powder Bronzer (above, $13) wasn't significantly better. Wear it only if you want to increase your chances of an intervention with Stacy and Clinton.

Written by Express contributor Erin Clements Rushing

TOOTHPASTE HAS REACHED the brink of its power. No innovation will ever make it produce whiter, harder, more tarter-free teeth. What toothpaste needs now is its own toothpaste. That is what Arm & Hammer Whitening Booster ($5, drugstores) is: a clear peroxide gel that you squeeze on top of your toothpaste.

It's supposed to be as powerful as white strips, but you leave strips on, while this stuff rinses off in seconds. Also, it makes it feel as if one's teeth are melting. Maybe a third toothpaste will help with that.