CoverGirl celebrity makeup artist Molly R. Stern created the look for Amy Adams tonight at the Academy Awards. Molly wanted Amy to have a saturated yet not overdone look that wouldn’t compete with her gorgeous dress and jewelry.

“First of all I have to say I was the most excited I have ever been this morning. I couldn’t sleep a wink,” says Molly. “I was dreaming about Amy’s makeup.”

To create Amy’s makeup, Molly gives us the step-by-step how-to:

I started by prepping the face with Jurlique citrus spray to give the face a healthy lift then I gave Amy a light facial massage with La Mer moisturizing lotion.

Next I based her face with YSL perfect touch #2. Then l blushed her cheeks with Chantecaille Aqua Blush in Frivolous as a peachy base with Chantecaille Sesame peach eyeshadow over top. Her eyes are based with NARS cream eyeshadow in Maracaibo. Over that I blended Shu Uemura shadow in gray 960 mixed with shu uemura shadow in purple 700 all over the lid up into the crease. With a flat shadow brush I added a touch of NARS shadow in Ondine on the inside corner of her lid to give the eye a little gold hint. I lined the top and underneath of her eye with Trish McEvoy’s Arabian nights definer. To soften the line underneath I added a soft smudge of Suqqu lavender shadow in #27. On her lashes I put 1 soft coat of CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Mascara in Black Ruby.

On her lip I based her lip with La Mer lipbalm then applied a thin coat of Outlast Lipstain by CoverGirl in Plum Pout. Then a sheer layer of Shu Uemura wine lip color in 265 with a dot of CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint in Plum Crazy at the center of her lip for a little extra pout. That’s also what she took in her bag for touch ups.

photo: wire image

Ladies, do I have some news for you!

You know how much I love CoverGirl LashBlast, right? (Lucky beauty director Jean Godfrey-June loves it too—she even told me so herself!)

This weekend, I had the opportunity to preview the new LashBlast LUXE Shimmery Volumizing Mascara version of the original LashBlast and it’s truly gorgeous. The colors are subtle and fun and the tube is hot pink!

I tried this in the following shades:

• Black Cabernet (red)
• Black Royale (blue)
• Black Emerald (green)
• Black Platinum (silver)

I had to swatch these on my hand because the shimmer is hard to see in photographs on my lashes.

Word on the street is LashBlast Luxe is already available in some Walmarts, Walgreens and Targets so you’ll have to check your local store.

This is definitely a mascara you’ll want to try.

Happy New Year! It’s 2009 and I’m not looking back.

While 2008 was mostly wonderful for Makeup Bag (the WWD feature, the Elle mention, PARIS!), it was also a very difficult year for me personally. I lost my dad in January which has crippled me in ways that I can not explain. I’ve also spend most of the year away from my husband who is working on a business project in Hawaii that requires him to spend most of his time on the island of Kauai. For these reasons, most of 2008 was rather foggy and I haven’t really felt quite like myself.

This year, I’m taking my mom’s advice and moving forward. I have so many fun ideas for Makeup Bag but just haven’t had the mental energy to execute them.

This is the year I’m going to make it happen. Makeup Bag will be bigger and better than ever and I hope you’ll stick around for the beauty-adventure.

Here are some of my favorite products from 2008:

1. Bobbi Brown Mauve Palette Everything I need for makeup on-the-go is in this palette. Kudos to Bobbi Brown for creating yet another perfect palette.

2. CHANEL Haute Chocolat Nail Colour It was love at first sight with this deep brown, shimmery polish—and the honeymoon’s not over yet. I love this polish.

3. CLINIQUE Comfort on Call moisturizer This has been my go-to moisturizer for weeks. There is no scent to irritate my dry, sensitive skin.

4. CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara I like the waterproof formula—it does amazing things to my lashes.

5. CLINIQUE Blushwear Cream Stick in Shy Blush This color is so perfect for my skin and I love the convenience of the cream stick.

6. Jurlique Citrus Hand Cream The incredibly creamy texture and amazing scent of this hand cream make up for the price.

7. Zoya Nail Polish in Erika How could I NOT include my namesake polish on this list?

I’ve seen a few lists from other beauty bloggers around the web this week. Check them out:

• The Makeup Girl

• 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

• Rocketqueen

• Blogdorf Goodman

• Makeup Minute

• Jolie Nadine
  

What were your favorite products of 2008? Leave a comment with your answer and be entered to win a selection of products from the Makeup Bag Beauty Closet.

Winner will be selected at random on Monday, January 5. Feel free to enter as many times as you’d like. Good luck!

“For one weekend only, and just in time for the holidays, CoverGirl and bebe are giving fashionistas the chance to try new CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain, an innovative, pen-style lipcolor that delivers the feel of bare lips and achieves a look that’s straight from the runway. From December 12-14, shoppers at select bebe stores across the country will receive one CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain free with a $100 purchase, while supplies last. But you better hurry: CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain won’t be available to the public until January 2009 and the exclusive samples won’t last long!”

The whole concept of pen-style makeup is so fun to me. Not since elementary school have I had so much fun with a “magic marker.” The great thing about CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain (aside from the aforementioned doodling aspect) is it really does stain your lips and stays on forever.

Janey and I sampled these yesterday afternoon and we both woke up to rose-stained (me) and crimson-stained (Janey) lips this morning. Janey also tested several shades on her left hand which were still vibrant even after several hand-washings.

Pat McGrath, makeup artist phenom and P&G Global Creative Design Director, created a palette of ten beautiful shades that deliver a flush of color to the lips:

• Everbloom Kiss
• Bit of Blossom
• Berry Smooch
• Teasing Blush
• Sassy Mauve
• Plum Pout
• Coy Coral
• Wild Berry Wink
• Flirty Nude
• Cinnamon Smile

“Over the last few seasons, lipstain has emerged as a key beauty trend on fashion runways,” notes McGrath. “The CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain collection is one step ahead of the curve with its novel pen applicator and prestige color palette. It’s a great way to update your look and stay on top of latest runway trends.”

Be sure to stop by a participating bebe store this weekend and get a free sample of CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain with a $100 purchase.

CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain will be available beginning January 2009.