We love ringing in the New Year. It means the chance to wear the latest shimmery makeup, bright lipstick and sequined dress. But it's also the chance to make a fresh start - to better ourselves and our daily routines.

This year, we're depending on Color Me to help us kick nasty makeup habits to the curb. Pick one up yourself and get one step closer to a flawless 2015.

This year, vow to:

Say so-long to "Makeup Mask"

Color Me's pulsating sponge buffs on foundation, giving better coverage with the first swipe. So we can stop caking on the makeup and stop scaring people in daylight!

Clean up your act

Color Me sponges are disposable so it's easy to keep makeup application clean and hygienic. So this year, we're ditching our traditional brushes - known to harbor skin cells and bacteria - and replacing our Color Me sponges at least every three to four weeks. We're expecting fewer breakouts and a cleaner makeup counter in 2015. ;)

Eliminate the infamous "Line of Demarcation"

Ideally, your face and your neck should be the same color. This year we are forever putting an end to a mismatched pair and especially the dreaded makeup line that separates the two! Luckily, Color Me makes it easy and does the blending for us!

Strive for flawless everyday

We are always finding new combinations of liquid and powder foundations that give us the perfect coverage and finish depending of occasion, season and desired look. We're looking forward to experimenting more this year with our Color Me device to find our perfect pair for a flawless complexion all year.

What are your resolutions this year? Tell us in the comments.

Happy New Year!

Erika - Color Me Staffer

Many products help us achieve a beautiful complexion - but it's important to remember that makeup can only go so far to accentuate natural beauty. A flawless complexion starts with skincare!  Within your skin care regimen, moisturizer is the #1 most important step to keeping skin young and healthy. Remember, dehydration is the number one cause of dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles!

As the dry winter months approach us (especially in the Northeast!) choose products that are proven to keep skin happy and hydrated.

Here are our top picks for round-the-clock moisture for your visage this winter.

AM Hydration

In the morning, moisturize immediately after cleansing to avoid dehydration - as water evaporates it also takes the skin's moisture with it! 

For extremely dry skin types, we recommend selecting a creamy moisturizer like Creme de La Mer's original formula. 

If you have combination skin or are prone to breakouts, opt for something a bit lighter. We love Ole Henriksen's Sheer Transformation moisturizer.

Once you are moisturized (with an SPF!) top with makeup products that are also rich in hydration like Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation SPF25 or Clinique's Supermoisture Makeup.

Note:Don't forget your lips! Lips require special care in the winter. Cover them with your moisturizers and protect them with a hydrating SPF balm like Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment and By Terry Baume de Rose.

Mid - Day Moisture

In the winter your face is exposed dry, cold wind daily, so it's a good idea to add a bit of moisturize periodically once you've left the house. For a mid day refresh, spritz a hydrating mist over makeup for a moisturizing refresh. Try Caudalie's Grape Water for normal skin or Fresh Rose Water for sensitive skin.

PM Absorption

Nighttime presents the best opportunity for deep hydration for eight hours or more - take advantage of it with an ultra hydrating butter.  

We love the Backstage Basics Hydrating Balm from Butter London.

For sensitive skin - The all natural shea butter from Shea Terra Organics is rich in moisture but is not too heavy or irritating for sensitive/acne prone skin.

A deep hydrating mask is also a great way to lock in maximum moisture while you sleep. Some great ones to try are Moisture Surge Overnight Mask from Clinique and Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment.

Keep moisturizers in mind this winter and your skin will be one step closer to flawless!

Stay hydrated!

Erika - Color Me Staffer

What are your go-to moisturizing creams, butters and masks for the winter? Let us know in the comments!

Those of us who are prone to breakouts rely on makeup more than most to hide unsightly, embarrassing blemishes. But what if your makeup application is actually irritating and (horror of horrors) spreading your acne?! Chances are, if you are using a makeup brush, this is the case.

To put an end to this vicious cycle (of covering and irritating and poking and covering again), we highly recommend reaching for a Color Me applicator to apply foundation to sensitive, problem skin. Here are our top four reasons why.

Reason # 1 - It's soft!

Color Me sponges are extremely soft and gentle, unlike makeup brushes made from anything from acrylic to animal hair. These firm, pointy fibers can actually break open inflamed skin during application interrupting the healing process and spreading puss (grossness.)

Reason #2 - It taps!

The vibrating motion of Color Me simulates finger tapping and is therefore more gentle on sensitive skin, while rubbing irritates blemishes and spreads bacteria. Rubbing also stimulates oil producing glands, increasing unwanted oils on your face and the likelihood of future breakouts.

Reason #3 - It's germ-free!

Because Color Me sponges are disposable, your makeup routine becomes more hygienic allowing you to regulate acne causing germs and introduce your skin to a fresh sponge weekly. (Your clear skin will thank you.)

Reason #4 - It provides fuller coverage.

While you are healing your skin with a less harsh mode of foundation, you might as well hide your blemishes in the meantime. In an independent clinical trial, 63% of women said Color Me covered more imperfections after the very first try.

Do you have acne-prone skin? Have you tried applying your foundation with Color Me? Tell us about it in the comments!

 - Erika, Color Me Staffer

One of our favorite beauty trends this Fall is a matte complexion paired with a nude lip and dramatic eyes. We've seen this from the runway to the street - woman are damping down shine and treating their visage as a canvas, a backdrop for the rich tones of Autumn.

Want to experiment with this look but not sure how? Here are 6 easy steps to master the season's matte makeup and make it last all day with your Color Me device.

1.) After cleansing your face, be sure to moisturize. We recommend using an oil free or mattifying formula - just a nickel-sized drop will do. If there is excess, allow time to absorb into skin. Even though we are not going for a dewy look, additional moisture is the key to keeping your matte finish from becoming dry, cracked and flakey. We like Clinique's Pore Refining Solutions Stay-Matte Hydrator.

2.) Once you are sufficiently moisturized apply a foundation that is the closest shade to your jaw line. For this look, it is so important to create an airbrushed finish, making sure makeup is blended smoothly and EVENLY. (One reason we love Color Me for creating this finish!) Try it with Lancôme's Teint Idole 24h.  This creamy formula will stay all day, comes in a ton of shades, and glides on beautifully with Color Me.

3.) Next, top the foundation with a colorless finishing powder to set your face and drink up natural oils. We love Mac Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder. The pillowy Color Me sponge will set your powder evenly and you can use it to buff all the way down your jaw line and up to your hairline.

4.) Now that you are oil-free, be prepared to blotch up any shine that pops up during during the day. We recommend having Tatcha blotting papers on hand. You can also keep your Color Me pre-powdered in your purse for touchups.

5.) Add a natural lip with clean edges to accentuate your matte complexion. Try a nude lipstick shade like Ilia's Funnel of Love, or Tom Ford's Sable Smoke - the latter is beautiful on deeper skin tones.  

6.) Pull the look together with a dramatic cat eye to make your peepers pop. We love Stila Stay All Day liquid liner and the LORAC Pro Eyeshadow Palette for this look.

Voila, you're ready to take this fall trend for a spin! Please let us know how it turns out in the comments below.

 - Erika, Color Me Staffer

At Color Me we talk a lot about 'seasoning' your liquid foundation sponge for a more efficient and effective application. But what the heck is a seasoned sponge? Allow us to translate.

What is a seasoned sponge?

A seasoned sponge has been around the block - a.k.a. it has already been coated in liquid foundation and has reached its maximum absorption. (As opposed to a brand new sponge that has lots of absorbing to do and greedily drinks up everything it touches!)

(Seasoned sponge left vs. new sponge right)

Why is it Important when using Color Me?

With a seasoned sponge, more of your makeup will go onto your face rather than into the sponge. The result: you use less product with each use. If you apply foundation to a fresh (unseasoned) sponge, you will find the makeup is long gone before you get the coverage you'd expect (ahem, blame the thirsty sponge).

So to recap:

Seasoned sponge = less product used with each application.

Fresh clean sponge  = more product used.

Also, for the reasons mentioned above, a seasoned sponge will glide more effortlessly over the skin for smoother blending. (Think showering with a wet vs. dry sea sponge!)

How do I season my sponge?

When you open a brand new Color Me sponge for LIQUID FOUNDATION (seasoning is not needed for the powder sponge), take a dime sized amount of your favorite/ most regularly used foundation and, using your finger, spread onto the entire surface of the sponge. You only need to season a NEW sponge before its first use. After that, the sponge will become coated with each application - resulting in full coverage, quickly and easily.

What if I don't?

If you refuse to season your new sponge, you may find yourself applying and re-applying foundation for the first couple of uses, using up much of your foundation. You will also find that the sponge may not glide as effortlessly over your skin. So as they say at Nike, Just do it!

Now, go season your sponges and let us know how it changes things in the comments!

-Erika, Color Me Staffer