March 2007

Cosmetics have long been thought to work magic, but lately they’ve been channeling Houdini in even more amazing ways. Both Almay SmartShade makeup and SmashboxO-Glow blush actually change color when they touch your skin, adjusting to variations in skin tone so color looks even and seamless. “This technology really works,” says N.Y.C. makeup artist Mateo Ambrose, who tested the two products on multiple complexions and was amazed at how well both adapted. “I would keep both of these in my kit at all times.”

Who needs bells and whistles? When it comes to lip gloss, lights and mirrors are much more helpful. Just twist the cap off Modelco’s new Lip Lights gloss and two tiny beams of light shine out of the cap, making it easier than ever to take advantage of the builtin mirror on the base. Also light-years ahead: Liparazzi and Victoria’s Secret, which feature on/off buttons on the caps of their glosses so the light isn’t activated unnecessarily during daytime hours.

Think you need short hair to pull off this twenties-style bob?

Think again, says Ellen Pompeo’s stylist, Jenny Cho: “You can create the look on long hair without cutting it.”

Cho used a medium-barrel curling iron to shape the star’s curls, thengathered hair into a super-low ponytail before tucking the ends under and securing with butterfly clips.

“The key is to make it look sort of messy and not too done,” says Cho.