1. Translucent Powders: I can't count the amount of times I've seen this happen to celebs on the red carpet. Yes, translucent powder works on everyone but you need to blend it out! Sometimes just brushing it off isn't enough to hide it when the flash goes off. Another point to make is, if you have very dark skin, a translucent powder with an peach or orange tint would be better suiting as it will not leave a grey cast. If you find that the translucent powder is still giving you flashback in photos, try a powdered foundation instead.

2. An Oompa Loompa Fake Tan: Trying to achieve a natural glow to the skin is as easy as going to the pharmacy and buying some gradual tanning lotion. Unfortunately it's easy to go overboard, especially if we try to do this without our friends help. Try a professional spray tan salon that uses more brown/red pigments in their dye than orange. This way you'll have a natural looking tan applied by a professional! Hair color is also an important factor for achieving a natural fake tan. In Christina's case, her hair is bleach blonde and her skin is ORANGE. If her air was red, her skin would fade into her hair and that would look really weird.

3. Going Overboard: In general, my makeup motto is "Enhance your natural features while letting them shine through". I'm also all for experimenting and having fun with makeup, but sometimes too much is TOO MUCH. For example, Leighton went for a smoky eye and a matte red lip. I give her credit for embracing her inner glamazon, but it's a little overwhelming. Maybe go for a smoky eye and a nude lip, or a neutral eye and a red lip- something more balanced.

4. Nude Lips: Nude lips are sexy and sultry when done right. But when done wrong, we risk looking dead or worse, CRAZY!  In this case, Jennifer was a little darker than usual, and her usual nude lipstick wasn't cutting it for her. The perfect nude lip will match your skin tone. If you're really dedicated, keep a backup lipstick- have one shade for the winter months and one for the summer months when your most tan.

5. Overdrawn Brows: Having sparse brows could be a nightmare. But overdrawn brows are even scarier. If you know you have a heavy hand, or fear overdrawn brows, try using a powder instead. Sometimes pencils and gels let us get carried away but the softness of the powder will apply lightly and smoothly and can be blended out with a brush if overdone. 

What are your worst beauty blunders?

-Patti, contributing elfette

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and every year we are clueless when it comes to gift ideas. What can I buy for my sweetie this year? Or better yet, what do we buy for the guy or girl who has everything?! Here are some ideas you can't put a price on...

1. Homemade Hot Cocoa: This can be found at any farmers market and some fun loving grocery stores. It's the perfect way to warm up and snuggle with your significant other by the fire place. Cant find any homemade goods? Make it at home together with this easy at-home recipe.

2. A Romantic Dinner: Tired of going out to the same old restaurant? Surprise him/her with a delicious home cooked meal. Find any recipe on the Food Network website and don't forget to pair your meal with a bottle of wine! For those of you in it for the long run, I'd suggest the Engagement Chicken ;)

3. Write A Love Letter: A classic way to celebrate love is with a handwritten love letter. Write it before February 14th and hide it in your sweeties purse or briefcase to find the day of. This gift is easy, inexpensive, and the perfect way to say 'I Love You'. Sign it with a personalized lip stick pucker stamp and don't be afraid to get creative with it!

4. Make a Collage: These are easy, inexpensive and fun to work on. Print out 5-7 pictures for a small collage. Cut the pictures however you like and trace construction paper in the same shape behind the photo. Glue them to a board that will fit in the picture frame of your choice and Voila! Its a beautiful gift that they will cherish for many years to come.

5. Mixtape: The tried and true mixtape always works. These days you can burn a CD or even create a Spotify playlist. Fill it with songs that remind you of your significant other or meaningful songs between the two of you. Decorate the CD with colorful permanent markers to add a little something extra.

What are your favorite Valentine's Day ideas?

-Patti, contributing elfette

Whether a comedy or a love story, any Rachel McAdams Movie is sure to bring us to tears! The Vow, starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum is a story about a couple who's madly in love but when they get into an accident McAdams loses her memory and Tatum has to fight to win her love back. Here's a step by step guide to her makeup!

1. Apply our Flawless Finish Foundation with a sponge in the shade that best suits you all over the face and over eyelids to even out skin tone. The sponge will give you an airbrushed natural finish.

2. Using our Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder, apply bronzer to the hollows of the cheeks with a Powder Brush. Blend in so there re no harsh or obvious lines. Taking an Eyeshadow Crease Brush, apply the same bronzer to the crease of the eye and outer corner. Blend upwards until there are no harsh or obvious lines.

3. Apply the blush to the apples of the cheeks for a youthful radiant glow.

4. Using a Small Angled Brush and a black eyeshadow, line the upper lash line, starting from the middle and working your way outwards. Create a soft edge wing using the brush and connect the wing to the bottom lash line. Make sure to blend both lines softly.

5. Apply our Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara in 'Black Brown' for naturally defined lashes.

6. Sweep on some Conditioning Lip Balm in 'Peaceful Pink' and the look is complete!

How easy was that?

-Patti, contributing elfette

In honor of Demi Moore and her newfound youth, we present you with a guide to achieving her classic natural makeup. (In all seriousness we hope she recovers quickly and healthily!)

1. Start by priming the eyes with our Mineral Eyeshadow Primer for red carpet ready makeup. 

2. Apply our Mineral Eyeshadow in 'Caffeinated' to the lid and blend into the crease until there are no harsh lines. Apply shadow to the lower lash line as well.

3. Coat lashes with 2-3 swipes of our new Volume Plumping Mascara for extra definition and volume.

4. Apply our Flawless Finish Foundation in the shade that best fits you for evened out skin.

5. Apply our Blush in 'Mellow Mauve' for a subtle glow.

6. Tame unruly brows with our Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear Mascara.

7. Coat lips with a quick swipe of our Lip Balm SPF 15 in 'Nude', and throw it in your purse for touch ups!

-Patti, contributing elfette