Total Blackout

Outside all I see is white white snow. But inside, I'm enjoying a sooty blackout thanks to NYX Kohl Kajal Black Eyeliner.

What? You don't practice new beauty looks and products when you have a sorta-snow-day? Then you're missing out! Especially with this awesomely inky and amazingly inexpensive pencil that goes on smooth and lasts all day and night. It has the best quality pigment I've ever used with a hoarder-friendly price tag of $6.

Kohl Kajal offers a matte black finish, but NYX's other Noir Collection options include glossy, satin finish, liquid and more. Plus, the wallet-friendly product offerings extend to lips, nails, tools, body, face and even accessories.

Los Angeles based NYX Cosmetics was named in honor of the ancient Greek goddess who ruled the night... and their pitch-black eyeliners also surely do her proud.

NYX products can be purchased through their website, www.nyxcosmetics.com. Check out their Store Locator page to also search for a retailer near you.

Exclusive Interview: Darais, Lancôme National Celebrity Artist

We at BrainyBeautys love the Halloween season- because we love beauty tricks and treats of course! (badum-bum!) And boy, do we have a slew of both to get your week off to a most glamorous start: Darais, Lancôme National Celebrity Artist, was gracious enough to answer some of our most pressing beauty questions.

Read on and take note on why Lancôme Artliner 24H is every woman’s new beauty bag essential, plus Darais’ top fall trends, biggest beauty pet peeves, fantastic beauty advice and more… Sweeter than candy and way better for you too!

BrainyBeautys: Why is Lancôme Artliner 24H a beauty bag essential?
DARAIS: Artliner 24H is a beauty bag essential because it's a no brainer! It can be used with or without eye shadow.  It won’t smudge or smear after a long day at work, while on a night out on the town, or even while you are at the gym.  It instantly gives you the eye definition everyone tries to achieve over and over again. It's so simple!

BrainyBeautys: What is one fall beauty trend you're most excited about and how do you incorporate Artliner 24H into it?
DARAIS: At fashion week it was a battle between graphic eyeliner and a smoky eye for fall. Graphic eyeliner won hands down with the launch of Artliner 24H. Its effortless application and vinyl edgy finish create a graphic eye that has created an exciting new trend on its own.  And not to mention all those smoky eye wearers are applying graphic liner on top of their smoky eye now to keep up!

BrainyBeautys: Who is one celeb that you feel always gets it right in the beauty department?
DARAIS: One of my favorite celebs I have had a pleasure to makeover a few times, and someone that I feel always gets it right, is Ashley Greene. She dares to go bold but in a way that is classic and effortless chic. Her skin is radiant even without makeup on. She always has the right amount of pop to her gorgeous eyes, and a lip that never overrides the rest of her look.

BrainyBeautys: What's your biggest beauty pet peeve?
DARAIS: My biggest beauty pet peeve is when someone has on the wrong foundation. Color is key and so is your undertone. It's sad when I can only see the wrong foundation and color jump to the neck or body.  It distracts from the true color of a woman's eyes and from how beautiful she truly is. Don't let your skin distract from your focus features.

BrainyBeautys: What is your "Brainy-est" beauty advice/tip/trick?
DARAIS: My brainy-est advice I give to thousands of women is based on your day, your career, your lifestyle. Decide in the morning if you are more of a speaker or a listener. If you speak a lot go more intense lips. It brings people's attention to what you have to say. If you listen, show it with your eyes done up. People won't be distracted away when they are focused in on your eyes. If you play up both it can be distracting and appear as overdone makeup... Especially to us guys!

We absolutely love DARAIS’ last answer so much- it is such a simple yet amazing tip that reminds us all that everyone can incorporate a make up look that stays true to their aesthetic and personality. And a few strokes of Lancôme Artliner 24H also helps! 

Lancôme’s NEW Artliner24H Precision Point Eyeliner is an ultra-long wear, laser-precise liquid liner available in 10 sophisticated cult colors defining eyes with a dramatic vinyl finish. The felt-tip applicator ensures the liner glides on flawlessly without tugging or skipping and delivers serious color. $30.

Moisture is the Essence of Wetness

If anyone immediately got this post's title, we need to hang out...

Seriously... call me...

Or at least tweet me- @leslieb24 #BrainyBeautys

Got that? Good!

Now moving on actually to Essence and more specifically their fab cosmetics! Essence got its start as a UK brand famous for its winning combo of affordability and quality. It hopped the pond back in 2010, making its debut at ULTA stores, where it can still be found today. As if we needed another excuse to visit that make-up mecca!

The XXXL Shine Lipgloss in Nude Kiss smells like warm vanilla and gives the kisser just the right amount of subtle oomph. Plus, it's non-sticky!

If you want something more dramatic definitely grab Stay With Me Longlasting Lipgloss in Kiss Kiss Kiss, which gives a bright, punchy, glossy pop of color that's perfect for spring.

The Stay All Day Longlasting Concealer is also a winner, although be a bit wary when using the applicator as it grabs a generous amount in one small dose. I preferred to dab it on the back of my hand and then switch to a smaller concealer brush to apply to problem areas.

Liquid liner and cat-eyes are a big trend this season and Sun Club 100% Splash Proof Eyeliner Pen in Ultra Black is a valid ticket. It works like a marker, with a felt tip end, and allows for an easier application.

Essence is a little tween-y in its appeal, but offers a quick, cheap fix for trying out a look you might not be sure of committing to.

Close-up of the marker-esque eyeliner pen:

Purely Pro Simply Delivers

There are so many reasons to choose Purely Pro Cosmetics- They're a Michigan-based company, they're not tested on animals, they're guaranteed to weather long days (the line was originally created to meet entertainment industry demands), they integrate "cutting edge technology and the purest ingredients"... Really the list could go on, but the most important aspect is that Purely Pro really does deliver fantastic, quality products.

A few stand outs:

1) Stuck on You Eyeliner Fixative 
This guy is a total game changer. It allows you to transform any eye shadow into a long-lasting gel eyeliner. Simply wet a brush with a few drops and mix into powders to create a smooth, creamy consistency and apply. I cannot even tell you how obsessed I am with this product. It truly opens up a whole new eye palette world.

2) Cream Hilites in 56 Hi Glow
A cream formula that can be used on the face or body for subtle to dramatic shimmer. #56 is a gorgeous bronze that I found ideal as an all over eye shadow base right now, but I know will also be a go-to face/cheek bone highlighter in the warmer months once I have some semblance of a tan.

3) Small Pointed Face Brush
A vegan brush with a nice weight and crazy soft bristles, this is meant for defining and highlighting your cheek bones. I liked using it to apply liquid foundation around my nose, chin and underneath the eyes.