Magnificent Maleficent: Angelina Jolie's Wicked Good Smoky Eyes, Bold Lip Color & Ageless Beauty

Photo courtesy Walt Disney Studios

Angelina Jolie has a lot in common with her deliciously dark Maleficent character. They both enjoy an iconic status and fearlessly follow their instincts. 

In the film of the same name, which opens in theaters today, Jolie portrays the larger-than-life villainess from the Disney animated classic "Sleeping Beauty." The fantasy adventure begins with Maleficent suffering a ruthless betrayal and then placing a curse upon the infant daughter of the kingdom's ruler. 

Although she plays the misunderstood Mistress of All Evil, Jolie brings a majestic beauty to the character. Blessed with high cheekbones, full lips, wide-set eyes and a creamy complexion, she possesses the ability to cast a spell with her looks on and off screen. 

Jolie also serves as an inspiration for women over the age of 35. The mother of six, humanitarian and fiancée of Brad Pitt turns 39 on June 4. So, in honor of her magnificent performance as Maleficent, upcoming birthday and ageless beauty, we'd like to spotlight five of her best looks--smoky eyes, bold lip color, contoured cheeks, long lashes and youthful skin. We also present ways to achieve them with beautiful blushes, stunning shadows, must-have mascaras, luscious lipsticks and glosses, and the latest anti-aging skincare products. 

May you live happily ever after!

SMOKY EYES

SHINE: Glam Cosmetics Walk of Fame Eyeshadow Quad. BEAUTY: Create a wickedly chic look with this LED lit collection of four shadow shades that promote on-the-go application with a handy magnification mirror. BEACON: Free of parabens.

SHINE: LORAC Cosmetics PRO Palette Kit Shimmer and Matte Eyeshadows with Mini Behind the Scenes Eye Primer. BEAUTY: Wet or dry, this fairy tale collection gives you the ability to shade, shadow, line and define your eyes with an eye primer, and 16 matte and shimmery hues that provide a seamless application. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Artiste Palette. BEAUTY: Where there's smoke there's fire with this shader brush and three sultry shadow refill colors--Merlot (matte rose), Concord (matte grape) and Bordeaux (satin wine). BEACON: No animal testing and free of parabens.

CONTOURED CHEEKS

Photo by Georges Biard

SHINE: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush Powder (Raspberry). BEAUTY: You don't need to possess supernatural powers to bring shimmery shading to your cheeks without the use of synthetic dyes, as this contour utilizes plum, pomegranate and raspberry fruit pigment extracts. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Contains no detergents, or artificial fragrances and colors.

SHINE: Essence Silky Touch Blush (Life's A Cherry). BEAUTY: You'll feel like you're living in a fantasy world when you freshen up your look and complexion with a pinch of color that easily takes you from day to evening. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Julie Hewett Couture Palette For Cheeks & Lips (Peachie and Rosie). BEAUTY: Fairy tales come true with this duo, as it allows you to create a natural looking, flushed effect with easily blendable cranberry and coral shades that also double as cream pigments for your lips. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens and talc.

BOLD LIP COLOR

Photo by Mikhail Popov

SHINE: Kevyn Aucoin The Expert Lip Color (Roserin). BEAUTY: Plump your pout with this moisturizing formula in the spellbinding shade of rose plum. BEACON: Free of parabens.

SHINE: Mirabella Beauty Colour Vinyl Lipstick (Metallic Blush). BEAUTY: Create chaos in the kingdom with this shade of red with silver undertones, which utilizes argan oil and raspberry extract to aid in giving your lips a high gloss finish for up to 10 hours. BEACON: Free of parabens.

SHINE: Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lipgloss (Siren). BEAUTY: Perk up your pout with this bewitching burgundy shimmer shade. BEACON: No animal testing and free of parabens.

LONG LASHES

Photo by Chris Natt

SHINE: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara (Black Tea). BEAUTY: Colored with black tea and fruit berry pigments, this fairy tale-like formula aids in lengthening, separating and thickening your lashes. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: DeVita Absolute Lengths Natural Long Lash Mascara (Absolute Black). BEAUTY: Break the curse of clumping and smudging as you define, strengthen and elongate your lashes with this carrot oil enriched formula. BEACON: Vegetarian and cruelty free. Contains no FD&C colors, lead, carmine, cochineal, gluten and parabens.

SHINE: Kevyn Aucoin The Essential Mascara (Rich Black). BEAUTY: Once upon a time you needed two coats of mascara to glam your gaze, but not anymore as this formula defines, lengthens and curls your lashes with one coat. BEACON: Free of parabens.

YOUTHFUL SKIN

Photo by Georges Biard

SHINE: Desert Essence Age Reversal Revitalizing Eye Serum and Rejuvenating Face Serum. BEAUTY: Promote elasticity of the skin, and magically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with peptides, apple fruit extract and aloe vera leaf juice. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Free of parabens, phthalates and artificial fragrances.

SHINE: L'Oreal Revitalizing Miracle Blur Instant Eye Smoother. BEAUTY: Peptides and vitamin A cast a spell on your skin as they minimize early signs of aging in the orbital area, including crows' feet, dark circles and under-eye puffiness. BEACON: Free of parabens.

SHINE: ProBios Transderma M. BEAUTY: Loose, sagging skin doesn't need to be a necessary evil, as this serum allows you to tone and tighten with ceramides and vitamin E. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, fragrances, oil and alcohol. 

SHINE: Yonka Paris Hydra No 1 Serum and Creme. BEAUTY: Vitamins A, C and E, hyaluronic acid and aloe vera leaf juice unleash their powers to heal and hydrate, and provide a refreshing and restorative treat to dry and sensitive skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens.

Face Lift-Like Skin Care: Paradise on Mother-in-Law Day

The coastline of Kona, Hawaii.

My mother-in-law grew up on a coffee plantation in Kailua (Kona), Hawaii. The good news is she spent her entire childhood living in paradise. The bad news is her skin took a beating from overexposure to the sun, which prompted signs of environmental damage later in her life.

The latest tightening and brightening formulations rescue loose, lackluster skin typically suffered by more mature women. Many contain plumping peptides, healing antioxidants and hydrating hyaluronic acid, which are designed specifically to promote a smooth and supple appearance. They provide face lift-like results without the pain or expense.

This Sunday, October 28, marks Mother-in-Law Day. Give your significant other's mom the gift of lift in a jar with the following firming formulations. These moisturizers, serums, gels and peels seek to repair and renew, which are benefits that may extend to your relationship with her after she experiences their transformative powers.

SHINE: Abrioné by VB Cosmetics Face Lifting Serum. BEAUTY: Minimize sagging and wrinkled skin with green tea and marine extracts, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Elizabeth Grant Collagen Re-Inforce Intensive Face Lift. BEAUTY: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and aloe vera leaf juice promote suppleness and firmer skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the HollyRod Foundation and World Society for the Protection of Animals.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Bamboo Firming Fluid (for normal to dry skin types). BEAUTY: Soften wrinkles and crow's feet, and strengthen skin with bamboo, apple plant stem cells, and coconut and neroli oils. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the National Breast Cancer Foundation, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and American Cancer Society.

SHINE: Garnier Ultra-Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer Serum + Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Shea butter and vitamin E provide healthy hydration to smooth wrinkles and boost firming benefits. BEACON: Supports TerraCycle. Carries the Forest Stewardship Council logo.

SHINE: HydroPeptide Anti-Wrinkle Polish & Plump Peel System. BEAUTY: Experience microdermabrasion-like results without irritating crystals with orange peel and lime oils, peptides, alpha hydroxy acid and green tea extract, which enhance elasticity and smooth skin. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens, synthetic fragrances and phthalates. Supports American Cancer Society.

SHINE: Innovative Skincare Instant Smoothing Gel. BEAUTY: Apple and watermelon fruit extracts, peptides, and vitamins A and E help tighten skin, and strengthen and repair the dermal structure. BEACON: Contains no parabens. Supports Washington Cancer Institute, Revlon/UCLA Breast Center and Stars For Stripes. 

SHINE: Lily Herbceuticals Goji Berry Youth Restore Complex Firming Serum. BEAUTY: Accelerate skin cell turnover and restore a youthful looking appearance with goji berry, green tea extract, peptides, hydrolyzed silk and vitamin E. BEACON: Free of petrochemicals and parabens.

SHINE: Luzern Laboratories Serum Absolut Clinical Collagen Booster RX. BEAUTY: Aloe vera leaf juice, peptides and hyaluronic acid help hydrate skin and stimulate new collagen. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, preservatives, fragrances, dyes, glycols or petrochemicals.

SHINE: Murad Rejuvenating Lift for Neck and Décolleté and Time Release Retinol Concentrate for Deep Wrinkles. BEAUTY: Restore suppleness of skin, and minimize crepiness and sagging with peptides, vitamin E and pomegranate extract. BEACON: No animal testing. 

SHINE: Pevonia Ligne Esthébuste Restore Neck and Bust Concentrate and Cream. BEAUTY: Chamomile flower extract and kigelia africana fruit extract smooth skin's texture and renew youthful elasticity. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports the Beauty Bus Foundation.

SHINE: Somme Institute Neckline. BEAUTY: Promote tone, texture and clarity of the skin with marine extracts, peptides, and vitamins A and C. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of parabens. 

SHINE: Sumbody Antioxidant Lifter. BEAUTY: Argan, carrot and jojoba oils, black, white and red teas, and coenzyme Q10 act as hydration boosters and anti-wrinkle actives. BEACON: Contains no parabens, animal oils, sodium laurel/laureth sulfates, artificial preservatives or synthetic chemicals. 

SHINE: VENeffect Anti-Aging Intensive Moisturizer. BEAUTY: Reduce fine lines and wrinkles caused by hormonal aging with resveratrol, grapefruit seed extract, peptides and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Free of parabens.

The Power of Pomegranate Skin Care

Photo by johannrela

Pomegranate seeds look like precious rubies. They possess a vibrant garnet color, glisten in the sunlight and, most of all, make us feel good. You could call them nature's bling bounty.

Known as the "jewel of winter," the pomegranate has served as a symbol of romance, longevity and fertility in some cultures. Today, the oil and extract from this succulent super fruit appear as key ingredients in many skincare formulations to minimize signs of aging and promote youthful radiance. Vitamins B and C, polyphenols and anthocyanins provide more antioxidants than red wine and green tea.

Discover the hidden treasures of this natural gem. The following formulations improve skin health by utilizing pomegranate as a prominent ingredient. 

SHINE: Burt's Bees Naturally Ageless Line Diminishing Day Lotion. BEAUTY: Pomegranate and wild yam root extracts, and sunflower seed oil help fight free radicals responsible for the breakdown of collagen and elastin. BEACON: No animal testing. Also free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates and petrochemicals.

SHINE: Éminence Organic Skin Care Cranberry Pomegranate Masque. BEAUTY: Pomegranate purée and juice, cranberry purée and juice, gooseberry extract and sesame oil assist with moisture retention. BEACON: Supports the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition and The Cinderella Project.

SHINE: Pomega5 Or de Nuit Illuminating Lifting Serum. BEAUTY: Pomegranate seed oil, aloe vera leaf juice, colloidal gold and blue green algae extract promote cell renewal and collagen production. BEACON: Cruelty free. Also contains no parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances or dyes.

SHINE: Weleda Pomegranate Firming Serum. BEAUTY: Organic pomegranate juice and millet seed extract help strengthen and support skin regeneration. BEACON: Free of synthetic fragrances, colorants, preservatives and raw materials derived from mineral oils. Also supports Conservation International.