Preview: tarte Holiday Collection

Every year around this time I love scouring the beauty stores for holiday gift sets. I love variety in my everyday routine and holiday collections always include huge palettes of eyeshadow, blush and lip gloss and some fabulous embellishments on the packaging. tarte's holiday 09 collection is probably the best I've seen in awhile. 

The standout product is definitely the Treasure Chest, a limited edition palette exclusive to Sephora. This thing is huge and contains 16 new shimmering shadows, 16 new matte shadows, 16 new lip glosses, the best-selling mineral powder bronzer in park avenue princess, new soft pink luminizer and four new powder blushes. What I love most is that every shade in this kit is completely wearable and it literally will be the only thing you use everyday. I travel a lot and instead of packing a huge makeup bag, I just take this and I have everything I need to create a multitude of looks. Plus the outside is decorated with pretty jewels that scream holiday. And at $52, it's a no brainer.

I'm the girl who always has at least 20 lip glosses in her purse because I can never choose just one lip look per day. Crown Jewels lip gloss multi-gift set is the solution to lip gloss split personalities. The set can be given as one gift, or broken up into three (or you can be like me and keep it all for yourself). The glosses are broken up into categories: Glittering Green Goddesses, which contain sheer, natural everyday wear shades like sheer nude-peach, Dazzling Divas, which contain high shine glittery glosses that are great for a night out, and Twinkling Trendsetters, which contain more pigmented glosses for a more dramatic dose of color in shades like twinkling brick-red and sheer raspberry. So many options for $39.

tarte is known for their amazing cheek stains. They look so natural, like the flush is coming from within, which is what every girl wants her blush to look like. Three Carats, tarte's mini cheek stain set contains three shimmery, everyday shades including brilliant, a shimmering champagne, princess, shimmering rose and cushion, deep, shimmering apricot, all blinged out for the holidays. Get your glow on for only $25.

And because it's tarte, all products are free of parabens, sulfates, gluten, preservatives and a ton of other bad stuff, but they're chock full of good ingredients like tarte's t5 superfruit complex, mineral pigments, vitamin E, and goji berry extract. Available now at Sephora, and should be available any day now on the tarte website.

Luxury vs. Function

Everyone knows that times are tough. Market research firm Euromonitor International found that when it comes to beauty products, we're substituting our indulgence purchases with ones that are more functional. I'm on a budget, same as everyone else, but I don't think you have to sacrifice luxury for functionality. One of my all-time favorite products is The Multiple by NARS, an all-in-one makeup stick that can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips. The rich, creamy consistency feels weightless and leaves a nice, subtle sheen behind. At $37, it seems like an investment, but for a product that does triple duty, it's a relatively cheap indulgence. Mustique, a peachy hue, South Beach, a shimmering coral and Orgasm, a peachy pink are my favorite and what I think are the most versatile shades.

If you're truly on a budget you can't get any cheaper than e.l.f All Over Color Stick, which is literally $1. Available in six shades, and at this price, why not get them all?

Avon Launches Reversalist Duo

If you're like me when you hear Avon you think of some woman in a skirt suit ringing your doorbell trying to sell you products, but the brand really has come a long way from Skin So Soft bugspray (you know you used it). What I love most about the new, updated Avon, is that the products actually work and they're reasonably priced. Take Avon's newest addition to the Anew franchise - Anew Reversalist. This anti-aging duo of serum and night cream go for $32 and $44, and a set is available for $59.

This duo treats every age concern from fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and discoloration with Activinol, an active ingredient designed to reactivate skin's repair process. When we cut our skin, the activin molecule is released to repair it. Avon harnessed this natural process since wrinkles are actually micro-injuries, so they need to be repaired, not just smoothed. As I move into the twilight of my 20s, I am starting to notice signs of aging here and there, and it's never too soon to start on a good regimen. Pick up the duo at Avon's website.

Seeing Spots

I have a confession to make: I have sun damage. I'm super preachy to everyone I know about sunscreen and how important it is to protect skin, but I inevitably encountered a few burns here and there and some general overexposure that resulted in a few pesky brown spots and an overall lackluster look. I'm always on the hunt for something that promises a glowing, even complexion and I've found a couple standout products that deliver on their promises.

Perricone MD Pigment Corrective System - combining a supplement with a topical, this two-part system banishes discoloration with Pycnogenol, a new ingredient derived from trees grown in the south of France that renew collagen and brighten skin. Vitamin C Ester increases skin's luminosity, while providing antioxidant protection and DMAE, a key Perricone ingredient firms, tones and diminishes fine lines and wrinkles. Just pop a capsule once a day, apply the topical twice daily and brown spots disappear before your eyes.

Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector - easily incorporated into your existing regimen, this product lightens all types of spots - whether incurred from the sun, the aging process, even past acne scarring. As an added bonus, Even Better also refines skin's texture for an overall smooth look. Vitamin C and antioxidants combine with exfoliating ingredients to leave skin even toned in as little as four weeks. What I love most? The texture is super light and leaves skin with a nice satin finish, almost like a primer.

Once you're all even and glowing don't forget the sunscreen! Spots will pop right back up again if you aren't protecting your skin on a daily basis. My top pick: Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral SPF 30.

Murad Launches Hydrate Exfoliate Celebrate

It's Murad's 20th anniversary and in honor of the event the brand is launching a new anniversary collection gift set, available in October and will feature five of Murad's top-selling products. The best part? The collection will be available at a price reminiscent of 20 years ago. The collection includes AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Hydrating Toner, Perfecting Day Cream SPF 30, Soothing Skin and Lip Care and Renewing Eye Cream - all for $32.

I've had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Murad before and he really knows his stuff. All products are based on the Science of Cellular Water, Dr. Murad's theory of health and aging. This kit is a great intro to Murad if you've never tried any of the products, and of course, perfect if you want to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Pick up the Hydrate Exfoliate Celebrate kit at Sephora, Murad.com and select spas and salons next month.

Beauty Crush: Garnier Triple Nutrition

I'm usually not big on drugstore shampoos and conditioners. Since I color and use heat appliances daily, my hair really needs a lot of TLC, and usually the drugstore varieties contain harsh salts or just don't nourish my hair enough. Add the fact that my hair is not only dry and damaged but also fine, it's not easy to find drugstore hair care that gets the job done. Until now of course. Enter the Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition line of shampoo, conditioner and 3-Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment. Garnier is known for their use of fruit oils, and Triple Nutrition combines olive, avocado and shea to penetrate and nourish every strand. Olive oil nourishes hair at the core, avocado nourishes and softens the middle layer and shea smoothes the surface.

I noticed a difference after the very first use - my hair was soft, strong, shiny, while also feeling light, fluffy and not weighed down. The packaging is definitely an update from the old Garnier hair care and these are apparently flying off the shelves because every time I walk in a drugstore there's one or two bottles left. If you're loyal to salon hair care give Triple Nutrition a shot and let me know what you think!

Red Carpet Recap: The Emmys

I have to be honest: I am not a fan of all the awards shows. I just find them boring and way too long. But I absolutely LOVE watching the red carpet beforehand! From the makeup to the hair to the fashion, there's nothing better than dreaming of owning the gown, the shoes, and having a whole glam squad get you ready for a night out. While the Emmys aren't exactly known for standout red carpet moments, there were a few looks that caught my eye.

I've mentioned my hair crush on Blake Lively before and here is no exception. For someone in her early twenties she always looks so put together and polished, but still age appropriate. And I love her cool braid here. Updos can feel so dated, but this is a fresh twist on a sleek, pulled back style. Huge bonus: it's totally easy to do yourself. First apply a straightening lotion (try Alterna Hemp with Organics Straightening Balm) to damp hair and blow dry super straight with a paddle brush. Gather hair at the crown and secure into a tight ponytail. Run hands coated in styling balm and smooth the hair from your face to the ponytail. Braid the ponytail, secure with a clear elastic (Goody makes some great ones) and finish with a mist of hairspray. If you're not attending an awards show anytime soon, try this look on Saturday night - it works dressed up or casual.

I can't stand Jennifer Love Hewitt, but her hair looked so pretty and romantic. And again, this is a great look that goes both casual and dressy and takes 10 minutes. First work a glossing cream into damp hair to prevent frizz and add a glassy sheen (one of my faves is Alterna Hemp with Organics Repair Gloss) then blow dry straight with a round brush keeping a center part. Set hair in large rollers or use a large barrel curling iron to create loose waves. When hair has cooled, pin back front sections and then take more glossing cream and and break up some of the waves.

On the makeup side, red lips were in full swing worn by the likes of Leighton Meester, Drew Barrymore and Hayden Panettiere. I've been having my own red lip moment lately and I highly recommend it if you want an instant feeling of fabulousness. Plus it takes two seconds to get out the door since when you're wearing a red lip you only need a thin black liner on the upper lash line, a swipe of mascara and a champagne hue on your cheeks. You can't go wrong with Maybelline Color Sensational in Red Revival or NARS lipstick in Red Lizard.

Clinique Hits the Road

Clinique is teaming up with Teen Vogue for a 10-city road tour, which kicks off tomorrow in NYC's Union Square. Gossip Girl's Little J (aka Taylor Momsen) will be on hand, along with Teen Vogue editor in chief Amy Astley and Clinique President Lynne Green, to debut the Mobile Beauty Studio, which will contain makeup and hair stations and a mini fashion studio with a photographer. A DJ will be spinning tunes and products will be sold from a boutique located on board.

The mobile unit will primarily make stops at college campuses, including Florida State and Texas A&M, where young women will be treated to makeovers and have their picture taken fashion shoot style. They're able to take their photos home, which will also be uploaded to cliniquefreshfaces.com as part of a talent search. Upon the tour's November 6th end date, three winners will be brought to NYC where they will receive a professional photo session, tour the Teen Vogue and Clinique offices and receive an externship with the mag. Check out the Clinique site for more info and a list of tour dates and stops.

RIP Prescriptives

Sad news! I just read that the Estee Lauder Companies, parent company to cosmetics brand Prescriptives will be ceasing distribution by January 31st and that products will continue to be available for purchase on the Prescriptives website until everything has run out. Prescriptives is a 30 year old brand, most widely known for its foundation color matching system, (they call it Colorprinting) ensuring that you get your perfect shade in any light.

So if you have a fave Prescriptives product, snatch it up in store or online asap before it's gone forever! Standout products include Lash Envy mascara (I used this religiously before switching to Revlon 3-D), anything in their *magic line, Tint Balm (I love Mulberry), Custom Blend Lip Glosses (you literally create your own shade), the Foundation of course if you have a specific shade and Instant Gratification Skin Renewal Peel.

RIP Prescriptives, you will be missed!

Runway Beauty: Michael Kors

Michael Kors, known for his classic American sportswear, brought the edge at his spring 2010 runway show. From the clothes to the makeup, it looks like Kors is heading in a more modern direction. He was even quoted as saying that if Lady Gaga lived on Park Avenue and had a kid, these are the clothes she would be wearing.

I'm loving the backstage beauty at his show - with the focus on the eyes by way of vibrant shades of purple. I've always been a huge fan of purple shadow; it totally makes brown eyes pop. (Try orange for blue eyes and green for hazel). Makeup pro Dick Page created the candy colored eyelids using Shiseido. Champagne and pink cream eyeshadows were applied first as a base, then Page lined eyes in black cream liner, both top and bottom. (Most people don't do this, myself included, but you're actually supposed to line your eyes before you do the shadow). GR 222, a sheer aqua was brushed on lids, topped with PR 399, a vibrant amethyst. GD 824, a gold shadow, was added to the inner corners for bright eyed look. Eyes were then lined underneath using a damp brush and more of PR 399.

When eyes are this bold it's best to keep the rest of the face pretty neutral - Page only used gold and white highlighting powders, a touch of bronzer and sheer rose lipstick.

I'll definitely be trying this out. I get so bored with the same old browns, bronzes and beiges. What do you think of candy colored eyes?

Runway Beauty: Badgley Mischka

Tuesday's Badgley Mischka runway show was all about spring sophistication - from the sleek, pulled back hair to the clean and precise makeup. Chic and ladylike, the looks at Badgley are easy to replicate and should definitely be given a try. Stylist Peter Gray worked with Redken products (one of my fave professional hair care brands) starting with Aerate 08 Bodifying Cream Mousse applied to wet hair, with Full Frame 07 Protective Volumizing Mousse added at the roots then blow drying. Hair was pulled back off the face in smooth style.

Drawing inspiration from Audrey Hepburn, makeup artist Tom Pecheux used M.A.C Cosmetics to create a penciled in brow, defining eyes with black liquid liner following their natural shape. Lashes were coated with lots of black mascara and a pinky gold shadow finished off the eyes. A light dusting of shimmery bronzer was applied to skin and lips were slicked with a brownish coral shade. I love this look - it just says easy elegance to me - and I need to find out the exact shade of that lipstick immediately. Will you be giving this look a go?

And how nuts is that necklace? I'm all about the one huge, bordering on gaudy, statement piece. Love.

Hair Crush: Blake Lively

I'm over my hair. Still rocking the super highlighted, pale strands of summer, I just haven't had time to get to the salon for my new fall, slightly deeper, honey blonde hue. Not to mention because of my big move I've had to abandon my long time colorist and make the switch to someone new, so I'm slightly panicking. I always bring in pics of what I want my color to look like (honey blonde, beige blonde, champagne, golden, it all starts to run together after awhile) and my newest hair crush is Blake Lively. 

I feel like I've been seeing her everywhere lately, and from the color to the style, I love what's going on here. Blonde can fall a little flat, lack shine and seem one note, but her yummy, goldeny, honey tone is just what I need to take myself into fall. Can you see me in Blake's rich blonde hue?

Runway Beauty: Herve Leger

Texture was the name of the game at Herve Leger's spring 2010 runway show. The hair, courtesy of Phyto, was styled in a mass of curls, waves, braids - you name it. This look totally says spring to me - easy, laid back, not too "done." Recreate it by randomly braiding sections of hair and creating loose waves scattered throughout. I like to use a flat iron on medium heat to make waves versus a curling iron; it just creates a softer, more natural looking wave. After hair has cooled brush waves with a large paddle brush to break them up and give them a softer shape.

Just remember the look is textured, not messy, so keep frizz at bay by starting with a smoothing cream and a volumizing mousse so hair has some lift, then blowdrying with a round brush before creating the texture.

Products used to get the look at Herve Leger include Phytolacque hairspray, Phyto Pro to create volume and Phytopolleine for a smooth, glossy finish.

I'll definitely be trying out this look come spring; since I can't afford the clothes, I might as well replicate the hair!

Runway Beauty: Marc Jacobs

Backstage at Marc Jacobs last night was a whitewash of pale, almost ghost-like models and not a hint of bronzer in sight. Makeup artist Francois Nars (namesake of one of my all time favorite cosmetics lines - NARS) created the borderline gothic looks by using NARS Sheer Matte foundation in Siberia, loose powder in Snow on the face, and went for a dramatic black and white lined eye with eyeshadow duo Pandora. The look was finished off with a deep wine lip courtesy of Pop Life. 

It's bold, it's out there, it's totally Marc, but will you be tossing your bronzer in favor of the whitewashed look? I'll definitely try the deep wine lip, but I don't think I can give up my love affair with Too Faced's The Bronze and The Beautiful palette anytime soon. I call it the Nicole Kidman theory. Unless you're Nicole Kidman, you don't look good pale. Which is why I generously apply bronzer year round.


I may not be the hugest fan of the makeup look, but the clothes, I will always die for.

Vaseline Gets Fashionable

Medicine cabinet staple Vaseline gets a fashionable update with the launch of new Sheer Infusion, which coincided with the brand's sponsorship of the spring L.A.M.B fashion show (one of my fave brands - the shoes are killer) held on Thursday. 

This is Vaseline's first foray into the fashion world as the brand is looking to invoke a young, hip spirit into its Sheer Infusion launch - this isn't your grandmother's Vaseline. Sheer Infusion contains Stratys - 3, a patented moisturizing complex that combines three ingredients that infuse and suspend moisture so rather than sitting on top of the skin and feeling greasy, or sinking in too much so skin still feels dry, all skin layers are effectively hydrated. Available in three formulas: Botanical Blend, Vitamin Burst and Mineral Renewal, Sheer Infusion hits all drugstores at the end of the month.

Kiehl's Goes Organic

One of my favorite apothecary throwback lines Kiehl's (their lip balm #1 is amazing) just launched a new Acai Damage-Repairing skincare line of cleanser, toning mist, serum and correcting moisturizer all chock full of superfruit Acai, an extremely potent antioxidant that repairs and protects environmental damage. Each product contains ingredients that are of 100% natural origin and helps stimulate skin's natural renewal processes to restore tone, texture and elasticity. The price points range from $24.50 for the cleanser to $48 for the serum.

The standout product is definitely the Damage-Repairing Serum, which evens skin's tone and texture, helps repair environmental damage, smooths fine lines and wrinkles and has a natural tightening effect. Serums usually contain the most concentrated levels of ingredients and are easily incorporated into any existing skincare regimen.

The line is also ECOCERT and Cradle to Cradle certified. Shop online now at www.kiehls.com.

Fashion's Night Out!

If you're in the NYC area, be sure to check out Fashion's Night Out tonight, an initiative aimed to promote the retail industry by encouraging consumers to spend the night away! What's cool about this is it's actually a huge global initiative - France, China, Brazil, Italy and a ton of other major countries are all hosting Fashion's Night Out tonight. I would totally be there if I still lived in the city (maybe I'll start up Fashion's Night Out - the South Bend, IN edition next year).

In between guilt-free shopping built on the premise of saving people's jobs in the fashion industry, be sure to check out one of my absolute favorite make up lines, tarte cosmetics (an eco-chic line filled with good for you ingredients and fab formulas and shades). tarte is teaming up with designer Tracy Reese and retailer Henri Bendel to host two parties where you can enjoy cocktails and a complimentary makeup application from a top tarte artist! The tarte/Tracy Reese party is held at 64 Hudson St. from 6-11 and check out tarte/Henri Bendel at 712 5th Ave. (at 56th St.) also from 6-11pm.

tarte is also currently on sale on TheFairest.com, a genius new member's only site that hosts beauty sales a la fashion sites like Rue La La and Gilt Groupe. Scoop up some tarte at 50% off for one more day!

So Fresh and So Clean

Now that we're a week into September I find myself straddling the line between embracing fall and wanting to cling to summer. Since I have no control over the weather, I've been using really light, fruity fragrances and body washes lately because they just remind me of sunny days spent lounging by the pool. One of my favorite (and cheap!) hold-onto-to-those-last-seconds-of-summer finds is Dove Go Fresh Burst Body Wash in nectarine and white ginger. 

Dove has come a long way from the basic beauty bar and now offers hair care, skin care and cool body washes, in a variety of scents and formulas. Go Fresh Burst Body Wash contains 1/4 hydrating lotion so skin is left super soft, but the formula is an ultra-light gel with a delicious summery scent. It actually reminds me of one of my favorite super luxe Jo Malone shower gels (the nectarine blossom honey scent). Pick it up at your local drugstore and be transported back to summer for under $10.

Beauty Crush: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Pore Minimizing Skin Re-Smoother

Even though I'm exhausted just saying the long name, one of my favorite new finds is this lightweight lotion/serum hybrid. As someone with oily skin and large pores, I'm constantly using numerous scrubs, masques, cleansers, primers, all in search of smooth, flawless, poreless skin. And now I've finally found something that packs a one-two punch: Pore Minimizing Skin Re-Smoother not only immediately makes pores look smaller, but also acts as a treatment to help visibly refine skin over time, when used morning and night under moisturizer. 

Formulated with Pore Targeting technology, Pro-Xylane and Hyaluronic Acid, this stuff delivers on its promises. Upon application skin immediately looks smoother, pores look smaller, and shine is kept at bay. And now that I've been using it religiously day and night, I've noticed that without makeup, my skin has the more refined appearance I've been dreaming of. 

What I love is that this blends seamlessly into your existing routine. I hate layering my skin care too much, especially in the morning. Between using a serum, moisturizer, sunscreen and finally foundation, it all just feels like too much. Pore Minimizing Skin Re-Smoother is so lightweight it doesn't feel like you have something on your skin before applying moisturizer. This is the first product I tried in L'Oreal's Skin Genesis line and I'm so impressed I can't wait to scoop up the rest.

The Bright Lip: Don't Be Afraid

September is what I like to refer to as "The Fall Issue" month. Every magazine has this huge, bible-sized issue of what's cool, what's not, and what we should have never worn last year. And beauty, much like fashion, always has a new fall trend. I love scouring the mags for some new look inspiration, but every time the trend was bright lips I let out a huge groan. I was always more of an "emphasis on the eye and a pinky beige, peachy beige, champagne, nude, anything that looks like you're not actually wearing anything on your lips" kind of girl. I would always attempt to create this fabulous red or bright lip only to totally hate it and feel like it was way too much. 

And then when I opened up one of my September issues, there it was, staring me right in the face: 5 Hot New Beauty Trends and numero uno was Bright Lips. I thought this is it, this is my year. I started slow with a gloss (Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Kanani a glossy, vibrant pink with a tingly plumping effect), paired with a neutral eye and cheek. When I walked out of the bathroom my husband instantly said he liked my lip color (or more specifically "What's on your lips? I like it." Something he hasn't said in the seven years we've known each other). High on the compliment I pushed the envelope further next time and went for a full-fledged lipstick. M.A.C Lipstick in Impassioned (a warm-toned fuchsia, which works well no matter what your skin tone) was my Saturday night out test (applied with a lip brush for precision). I received rave reviews and just generally felt fabulous, but probably what I love most is a bold lip really cuts down the time on your "get ready to go out routine," without sacrificing a finished look. Think about it: it takes much less time to slick on lipstick than painstakingly creating a smoky eye. 

Just be sure to keep the rest of the face neutral and let the lips take center stage. I used NARS Orgasm blush with a very light hand, the peachy pink shade in the Smashbox Eyelights palette in Flash, drew a very thin line with black liner and swept on a few coats of Revlon 3-D Extreme mascara. The result? A polished look and a pout that begs to be noticed.

Green is the New Black

Fall will be upon us any minute (I always consider the 1st of September fall, but I think it officially starts on the 21st) and even though I have always considered summer to be my true soul mate, there's something about the fall that I absolutely adore. Fall just feels so luxe to me somehow. Whether it's the rich, jewel-tone color palette, delicious fabrics like tweed and corduroy, or the slight, refreshing chill in the air, come September I always get excited about revamping my look. And one of my favorite instant fall beauty updates is swapping my sheer, summery polish for something a little more dramatic.

Nail trends have been bigger and bolder in recent years; I like to refer to it as the black polish phenomenon. The deep, bold polish trend all started with Chanel Black Satin and has morphed from black, to chocolate brown, to deep purple, to navy and now....to green. That's right, green is the newest IT polish color for fall. Whether it's a lighter seafoam a la Chanel Jade (launching in October), or a deeper forest hue like M.A.C Nail Lacquer in Beyond Jealous (part of M.A.C's new collaboration with famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi) be a little daring and give green a go. Just remember that when using edgy shades like this, it's best to keep nails short, filed into a soft round or squared off oval. Long, dagger-like nails coated in green may work in Rihanna's world, but trust me, it doesn't translate well for the rest of us.

If you just can't see yourself trying this trend another hot color for fall, that's a little easier for day to day wear is magenta. Check out two of the best shades in OPI Ate Berries in the Canaries, part of the new Coleccion de Espana or Revlon Plum Seduction. Magenta's a great transition shade when you're not completely ready to toss your summer brights and go the whole dark green hog, but you want something that doesn't scream, "Hey, I'm wearing the Essie '09 summer collection in October."

30 Second Wake Up Call

So everyone knows that you need about eight hours of sleep a night in order to not only function, but not look like total hell (obviously the more important of the two). But I live in the real world, and like most of you I'm sure, I average about six hours and trust me, it shows on this face. Whenever I'm having a dark-circled, sleep-deprived moment (which is often!) I dot on a little Smashbox Photo Op and sweep on Benefit Miss Popularity in the inner corners and this duo puts the sparkle right back into my eyes.

Photo Op is a peachy, shimmery liquid that instantly perks up tired looking eyes, while Vitamin E, Red Wine extract, Peptides and Marine Collagen help disguise and repair fine lines and wrinkles. Use it alone, mix with concealer or apply on top of concealer depending on the amount of coverage you need. I also use it as a natural looking brow bone highlighter (nothing worse than a streak of white right under the brow!)

Miss Popularity is the only highlighter I use because it's a soft, natural white that doesn't look garish. I hate that stark white look of most highlighters that look so blatant, but this just looks natural and glowing. A dab in the shape of a V in the inner corner of the eye and you'll look wide awake in a snap.

Broke is the New Black

You can't even set foot into a now empty Starbucks without someone bringing up the economy. Everyone is watching their dollars. Even diamond chain wearing, yacht-traveling Diddy was quoted as saying he is cutting back on his excessive spending because he feels guilty buying Bentleys while the rest of us are contemplating trading in our already cheap Honda, for an even cheaper Kia. Something's gotta give. And since rent and food trump a new blush (usually) beauty products are the first thing to go when trying to curb the spending. 


Rather than completely cut the beauty out of my life, I've scoured the drugstore aisles to find a few little luxuries at a price that won't force me to write an IOU to my landlord the first of every month.


Revlon 3-D Extreme Mascara - Even if money was no object, I'd still be loyal to this mascara. Perfect for when you're craving a dramatic moment, this mascara creates long, curvy, crazy full lashes in a few quick sweeps. Friends, family members, even strangers ask me if I'm wearing falsies (the ultimate compliment to someone who feels more is more when it comes to lashes). And at only $9.99, you can buy this and still have working cable.


Olay Ribbons Body Wash - My long, hot showers are my "me" time when I can let the stress of the day go and pamper myself. I always indulged in fancy soaps and washes to create that zen-like spa experience in my tiny bathroom, but at $50 a pop, I'm going to have to put my Jo Malone habit on hold. Enter Olay Ribbons Body Washes. Each of the five varieties creates a fluffy, luxurious, indulgent lather that improves skin's tone and texture, and depending on the formula, moisturizes so well you can skip the body lotion apres-shower (another money saver!) $7.49 for healthy, radiant skin? Sold.

L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss - I love a smooth, glossy lip. But as the requisite, "hold on let me reapply my lip gloss before we take this picture girl," I'm in constant search of a lippy that isn't dry or cakey, has a glassy, super shiny sheen and stays on past the first sip of pinot. My friends told me I was crazy if I thought such a gloss existed. But then I found Infallible. Somehow this gloss manages to stay on the requisite six hours (a feat in itself), but even better it stays looking polished, glossy and hydrated at the same time. At $9.99 a piece you can scoop up three for the price of one department store gloss.


John Frieda Luminous Color Glaze - As someone who has visions of glossy hair dancing around in her head when she goes to sleep, I've been searching high and low for a budget-friendly alternative to a professional glazing treatment. During one of my many drugstore research trips I stumbled upon this DIY glaze. It comes in blonde, brunette and red, which adds incredible sheen with the benefit of a color boost, or a clear formula for those who just want shine sans color deposit. I use the clear variety as a weekly shine treatment, applying to dry hair, leaving in for 20 minutes and shampooing out. A small investment at $9.99, I can't help but stare at my shiny-haired self when passing a window.


Let me know what you think of these beauty bargains, and drop me a note if you have some fab finds of your own!