Last week I asked you about your favorite beauty tools and mentioned a couple of mine. Here are 10 of our favorites among favorites — the beauty tools we can’t live without.

1. Tweezerman Tweezers

An Allure Best of Beauty winner nine years running, the Tweezerman just might be the finest general purpose tweezer in the world! Whether you’re an eyebrow artist or the girl next door, the Slant Tweezer’s ($20) perfectly aligned, hand-filed tips will grab every hair, every time. Available in classic stainless steel finish, Signature Red, Neon Pink, Blooming Lilac and Khaki Gold.

TIP: Tweeze in the direction your hairs grow to keep from breaking strands. Tweezing is also easier after a hot shower, or you can use a warm washcloth to open pores. To close pores when you’re finished (and reduce redness and irritation), rinse with cold water.

2. MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

I like everything about the MAC 239 ($24.50). It’s soft and dense (just like Tabs!), and shades and blends eyeshadows like a dream. The head is tapered and rounded, with smooth, firm fibers that deposit lots of color. It’s one of the beauty tools I’m not sure I could (or would rather not) live without.

TIP: You can use it to apply powders AND creams, and when you’re done using it, if you don’t have time for a thorough brush cleaning with brush cleaner or a gentle shampoo, you can wipe the bristles down with a Wet Ones Wipe.

3. Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

The Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler ($19) is practically iconic! — a legendary beauty tool, perfectly balanced and precise like a ninja’s sword. The shape of the curling surface, frame length, ergonomic handles and hinge help it to deliver the right amount of pressure to delicate eyelashes. Amazingly enough, it also suits just about every eye shape out there.

TIP: Curl before applying your mascara to reduce the risk of pulling out or breaking your lashes, and here’s a tip to get a natural lash curl.

4. MAC 217 Blending Brush

An everyday brush for shading and/or blending color or cream products. With fine, densely packed fibers and an oval head, the MAC 217 ($22.50) will take your makeup game to the next level.

TIP: A super versatile brush you can even use as a crease brush or to apply/blend cream or liquid products (like concealer).

5. Clarisonic Skincare Brush

Heavy duty hardware like the Clarisonic ($195), a gentle, sonic micro-massager (ala the Sonicare Toothbrush), removes makeup better than anything I’ve ever used before. Gentle enough to use twice/day, it also helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches, blemishes and the appearance of visible pores, fine lines and wrinkles.

TIP: If you’re gonna pick one up, shop at a store with a good return policy (like Sephora) because it may take a couple weeks to see results (and they’re HELLA expensive). You want the option of being able to take it back if you need to.

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Good morning, ladies. Yes, the rumors are true. In a little more than 12 hours, we’ll close the book on 2009 forever and begin a new chapter titled “2010″, a brand-spankin’ new year filled with promise and hope for us all.

With a lead like that, it feels like I should do something special tonight, LOL! Ya know, it’ll be special, no matter WHAT — even if I end up just spending the night home with the two men in my life (El Hub and Tabs). So far my plans involve the three of us, a couch, Hulu and perhaps a glass (or three) of something bubbly.

What about you? What’s on your dance card tonight? While I think I’m staying in, I still have designs on my New Year’s makeup, and I’m thinking about something with fireworks.

Like…

Makeupgeek: Magnificent Sparkles

MichellePhan: Glamorous Salute to 2010

QueenofBlendingMUA: Glitter Eyes

pixiwoo: Deeep Purple

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• Hi there, ladies. Sorry I’ve been incommunicado lately. I’ve been running ragged since early this morning. While I was in Hawaii last week, a dear friend of mine, someone I’ve known most of my life, lost her father to cancer. This morning was the funeral, and while it was a nice ceremony and a fitting sendoff (music played a big part as it was one of his greatest loves), it was still an emotional day for us all.

  Then, after the funeral, I swung by my parents’ house in the East Bay for a low-key birthday celebration for my mom.

  I’m pretty spent right now but have so much I want to share… I think it’ll have to wait, though, until I’ve gotten some sleep.

  How was your day? What was the highlight?

  Tonight, I went digging through the blog archives and found this post from almost three years ago. I’m due for a new DMV picture soon, and this post came to mind.

  I double dare you to email a scan/photograph of your DMV picture to me (karen@makeupandbeautyblog.com ). Pretty please? And if you’ll let me, I’d like to post it on the blog.

  Nighty night…

  Your sleepy neighborhood friendly addict,

  Zzzzzz…

My mission today is possibly one of the biggest of all of beauty challenges: I have to go to the DMV to take a new license picture and somehow make it look cute.

The nasty florescent lighting, the institutional blue paper background … there are many elements that point toward certain disaster. Plus, I think the picture-taking dude that works at the nearby DMV REALLY HATES his job. He purposely waits for your eyes to be crossed, or for you to look like you’re confused before he snaps away, thus preserving your startled doe-in-the-headlights look for all eternity.

The only decent license picture I ever took was when I was 21 and weighed 20 pounds less … needless to say, I need a little bit more help now, since the fresh blush of youth and innocence has left (I’m not bitter!).
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Written by Allison Barbera

Today Allison of New England-based Allison Barbera Makeup Artistry reveals the secrets of a professional makeup artist’s kit.

I recently went on a weekend trip and had to scale down my makeup kit (normally a 3-foot-tall, multi-compartment wheeled kit). I only brought the essentials — the products I most often use on myself and constantly find myself suggesting to clients.

I’ve tried a lot of products, and these 10 are the ones that I think can’t be beat.

1. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Eye primer is always the first step in my makeup process. Because most people like to draw attention to their eyes, it’s important that the shadow stays on and doesn’t crease. Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($17) eye primer does exactly that, and a little goes a long way.

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils

Talk about smooth! Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($17 each) truly does glide on, and it’s easy to work with when you want a smudged liner look. It’s also great on the waterline, and comes in a variety of colors.

3. DiorShow Mascara

It’s a cult favorite for a reason — it works. I use it on myself and on my clients because it lengthens, thickens, and doesn’t clump. I use the original >DiorShow Mascara ($24) for an everyday look, but I like Diorshow Blackout ($24) for a more dramatic look.

4. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder

A truly matte bronzer is hard to find, but Benefit has done it. I apply Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder ($28) all over the face after foundation and powder, and it really evens out the skin. It can also be used to contour lighter skin.

5. Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder

I use this after foundation, and it really helps set it. I work with a lot of brides, and Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder ($30) is the product that keeps their makeup on all day. It gives a flawless finish to the skin and doesn’t feel heavy at all.

6. NARS Blush in Orgasm

The perfect peachy pink. NARS Blush in Orgasm ($25) flatters most skin tones and builds and blends with ease. That, and the compact lasts for a while, so it’s also a good value.

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Written by Kristen of Sugar Social

Today Kristen of Sugar Social shows us a few choice ways to wear MAC Devil May Dare.

MAC’s Devil May Dare eye palette, part of the Magic, Mirth, and Mischief! holiday ’09 collection, is a versatile palette stocked with six eyeshadows that can be worn on virtually any skin tone. Reasonably priced at $36, it’ll carry you through the winter (and beyond) with an endless variety of day/evening eye looks like these.

But first, the shades!

These looks can also be created with shadows from MAC’s permanent collection. Below is a list of substitutes for each shade in Devil May Dare.

• Oh My Darling: Shroom
• Dare Ya: Pink Venus or Da Bling
• Sorcery: Embark
• Gold Tease: Gleam, Motif, or Flip
• Prankster: Greensmoke
• Devilishly Dark: Sketch or Cranberry

Daytime Look #1: Au Naturel

This look is perfect for ladies who prefer something demure. It sculpts and polishes the eye without looking overly makeup-y. The shimmer in the shadows illuminates without over-depositing color. Best of all, it’s super easy and quick.

1. Dip a flat shadow brush (like MAC 213 Fluff Brush) in Oh My Darling (the shade used as the base for all the eye looks shown here). Sweep the shadow from your lashline up to the brow bone.
2. Dip the same brush in Dare Ya, a light pink that appears neutral on most skin tones. Cover the lid with it, extending just past the outer corner of the eye. The shade looks fabulous on ladies with darker skin tones. I think it illuminates the eye without overpowering the look.

Daytime Look #2: Fresh and Pretty

For those who want a finished eye with more intense (but still daytime-appropriate) color, give this look a whirl. It’s pretty and fun — not overly dark around the eye. Those who are averse to dark eyeshadow may like it as an evening look.

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