Blog Posts by Marie Claire

'Question: Help - I can't apply eyeliner! I've tried the liquid kind and the pencil kind. What are the proper steps/techniques for applying liner?

Dan LeccaAnswer: Eyeliner, especially liquid, can be tricky. To master pencil liner, try dotting your pencil between the lashes (as close to the lashline as possible). Then connect the dots with short strokes, which are easier to maintain precision with than one long line. If your hand tends to wobble, try resting your elbow on the counter to steady the shakes. When you're ready to graduate to liquid liner, define the shape first with a light brown or beige pencil, then trace over it with a marker-type liner pen, like Avon's Perfectly Portable Liquid Eye Liner. Wipe away mistakes with a cotton swab dipped in a little liquid foundation

STEP BY STEP VIDEO >> How To Apply Eyeliner

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Question: What's the one beauty product you'd splurge on? What should you save on?

Jeff Harris

Answer: Most women spend more on their conditioner than shampoo, figuring that the moisture treatment has a longer-lasting effect. But contrary to popular belief, you should splurge more on a quality shampoo, because budget formulas can dry out hair, causing frizz, color fade, and more damage than your conditioner - no matter how expensive - can repair. So splurge on shampoo and buy a cheaper conditioner. You can always use more conditioner to give hair extra moisture, but you can't use less shampoo to make hair less stripped.

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They said what?! Test just how well you know your favorite celebs by matching the quote to the A-list name:

diego cervo/iStock"I EAT SO MANY APPLES IT'S STUPID"
Which Oscar-winning actress keeps the doctor away with three Pink Lady apples every day?
A. Hilary Swank
B. Kate Winslet
C. Jennifer Connelly
D. Penelope Cruz
GET THE ANSWER HERE

"ONE NIGHT I HAD SOME BEERS AND THEN I GOOGLED MYSELF AND SPENT THE NIGHT IN TEARS"
Which He's Just Not That Into You star admits to vanity-Googling?
A. Jennifer Aniston
B. Ginnifer Goodwin
C. Drew Barrymore
D. Jennifer Connelly
GET THE ANSWER HERE

"g----- IF I DON'T LOVE THE CHASE. I'M MORE OF A DUDE THAN MOST DUDES"
Which actress says she dates like a guy?

A. Natalie Portman
B. Drew Barrymore
C. Eva Mendes
D. Cameron Diaz
GET THE ANSWER HERE

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Don't let the economic downturn take a toll on your travel plans. These simple globetrotter tips will save you some serious overseas money.

iStock1. Although everyone knows about discount search engines like Kayak, Cheapoair, and Hotels.com, few contact the airline or hotel for a competitive quote. Try calling them, announcing the Web-provider rate, and challenging them to match it. You could not only end up with a better bargain, but you'll cut out those pesky middleman charges.

2. When searching for flights check all area airports. Smaller airports often have discounted fares - an easy trade for a cab ride or asking a friend for a ride across town. Also research shuttle-bus services and free parking to save money on your trip to the airport.

3. Look in the last-minute-package section of travel search engines, whether you need a package or not, as they could cost less than the original airfare alone. These bargain trips could end up being the most cost-effective even if you don't plan on

The most sensuous spring dresses for every style, shape and budget. See 100 More Spring Dresses Here

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Tim McCaig/istock1. Cut gas costs by keeping your heater or AC on only long enough to get your car the right temperature, and then turn them off. Better yet, if you're trying to cool off, take advantage of Mother Nature's natural air conditioning and roll down the windows.

2. Ditch the road rage--speeding (over 75mph) and rapidly accelerating and slamming on your brakes is eating away at your car's fuel efficiency. So keep your cool, and keep your speed steady. And make sure your tires are properly inflated--flatter tires can also decrease fuel efficiency.

3. We're not suggested you walk seven miles home from work every night, but if you're taking a train or bus, double-check the route and find out at which point your fare goes up. If you can save a few bucks a day by getting off two blocks earlier, it might be worth the extra cash.

4. Ask your Human Resources department about company benefits that might subsidize your commuting costs. They might also offer car service if you work past a

Wolfgang Lienbacher/iStock1. Do it yourself: Grate your own cheese, clean and shred your own lettuce, and chop your own fruit salads instead of buying pricey packaged convenience items. Generally, supermarkets increase the cost of fruits and vegetables when they cut and package them.

2. Purchase sale items in bulk: When lean meats go on sale, stock up and freeze the extras or share with family and friends. Buying larger quantities at discount or warehouse stores can also cut costs.

3. Find the freezer or go canned: If fresh produce is too expensive, buy frozen or canned alternatives. Most grocery stores even offer generic brands of frozen and canned favorites. A pound of 85% lean ground beef can cost close to $4.00 while a can of black beans is a mere .75.

4. Portion patrol/proportion shift: Your budget and pantry can be devastated by portion sizes that are too large. By monitoring the portions you use in meals, you can stretch your food throughout the week and consume healthier meals. In addition

Now that infamous financier Bernard Madoff has pleaded guilty on 11 counts of fraud, money laundering, perjury, and theft - carrying a maximum sentence of 150 years - it looks like he may have to trade in his business suits for a standard-issue prison jumpsuit.

What awaits him behind bars?
One person who would know is Jennifer Wilkov, a law-abiding professional who spent four months in the notoriously violent Rikers Island prison after being accused of real estate fraud, even though she tells Marie Claire in a riveting essay that she was not guilty.

"If you can survive this place, you can survive anything," one of the prison guards told her. She told us about her preparation for her sentence ("I sought advice from self-defense experts, and enlisted them to shout insults in my face so I could practice my response"), and her experience behind bars, dealing with fellow prisoners and managing her Crohn's disease on a diet of bread and fried chicken quarters that the prisoners