Estee Lauder Sumptuous Waterproof Bold Volume Lifting Mascara


Estée Lauder Sumptuous Waterproof Bold Volume Lifting Mascara
$21; EsteeLauder.com
Lasts: More than 14 hours

8:00 A.M. Apply mascara to top and bottom lashes.

2:30 P.M. After six hours of surfing, still plenty of color on my lashes. (I've used a lot of waterproof mascaras in 30 years of competitive swimming, but this one is quickly becoming my favorite.)

4:00 P.M. Hang out on the beach. It's hot, but the mascara doesn't budge.

5:30 P.M. Reapply before dinner. No clumping or flaking.

10:00 P.M. Use makeup remover to wipe off the mascara—water and soap don't do it.


—Susan Casey, editor-in-chief

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner


Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
$10; drugstores
Lasts: 12 hours

8:00 A.M. The gel glides on easily and the line looks smooth.

12:30 P.M. Run on the treadmill for 40 minutes. Quick shower, then head back to work. The line has smudged a bit; color has faded into a pretty, dark gray.

8:00 P.M. Two face washings required to get all the liner off.
—Jessica Silvester, assistant editor

Sephora Collection Colorful Palette


Sephora Collection Colorful Palette
$24; Sephora.com
Lasts: Almost 12 hours

9:45 A.M. Following the instructions on the back of the palette, I brush light pink eyeshadow on the top of my lids, and dark purple on lashline.

11:30 A.M. Even though I have a cold and can't stop rubbing my eyes, the colors stay on.

5:10 P.M. A full day of work, and the shadow hasn't creased like others I've tried.

9:00 P.M. Daily cleanser takes the shadow off; no need for makeup remover.
—Sally Abbey, former managing editor

Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact Foundation


Giorgio Armani Lasting Silk UV Compact Foundation
$59; GeorgioArmaniBeauty.com
Lasts: More than 12 hours

8:30 A.M. The powder, applied with a sponge, stays exactly where you put it, so blending is a little difficult.

12:00 P.M. My skin has the same smooth look it did when I left my apartment in the morning.

3:00 P.M. Skin feels oily, so I use blotting papers, but the foundation doesn't move.

9:00 P.M. Use makeup-removing towelettes, then wash my face with a mild cleanser. Rub a cotton pad with toner on my face and still see traces of color, so I wash my face again to remove any residue.
—Alessandra Foresto, contributing assistant beauty editor

Lancome Ageless Minerale Blush


Lancôme Ageless Minérale Blush
$29.50; Lancome-USA.com
Lasts: More than 8 hours

10:30 A.M. Brush a very small amount of the blush on my cheeks. The color looks natural, so I add a little more.

2:30 P.M. Grocery shopping and some vigorous housework. I have very oily skin and thought the blush would slide off, but it's still going strong.

5:00 P.M. Wake from an afternoon nap: pillowcase blush-free; cheeks still rosy.

7:00 P.M. Blush still there, as subtle as ever, looking practically the same as it did at 10:30 this morning.
—Katie Arnold-Ratliff, assistant editor

Avon Perfect Wear Extralasting Lip Gloss


Avon Perfect Wear Extralasting Lip Gloss
$8; Avon.com
Lasts: 11 hours

9:00 A.M. Apply one coat of Infinite Berry after breakfast.

10:00 A.M Face-melting temperatures in the subway? Ha! Arrive at work, gloss intact.

12:10 P.M. Turkey sandwich with hummus, four apricots, one glass of water. Lipcolor fades to a nice rosy pink; lips starting to feel dry.

4:00 P.M. Apply lip balm. The color fades a little more, but still noticeable.

8:00 P.M. The pink shade is almost gone. Regular facial soap washes off the last trace.
—Jody Churchfield, deputy art director

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