Beauty Crush: bareMinerals Matte

As you all know I am an avid Bare Escentuals user and I often rave (to a somewhat annoying degree) about how much I love it. As a perennially shiny lady, I was thrilled when BE came out with a matte version of their mineral foundation and I've finally gotten around to trying it. Like the original, bareMinerals Matte offers natural spf, flawless coverage and a lightweight feel, but this version, hence the name, has a natural matte finish as opposed to the more luminescent look of the original formula. Let me tell you, this stuff works. Two things that surprised me most: it actually does keep you shine-free all day (it even kept me shine-free in the 90 degree St. Lucian weather) and it really refines the appearance of pores and skin texture; I noticed a difference after using it twice. That's what I love most about bareMinerals, it really can completely change your skin's texture and overall appearance.

So is Matte for you? Only if you're truly oily, otherwise you might dry out using this. Always use a moisturizer underneath for smooth application and choose your shade carefully. With the original formula you were able to fudge your shade a little, but with the matte finish, it's more obvious if you're using too dark/light a shade. They have a new shade matching guide online, so take advantage! If you feel like the matte finish is just a bit too matte, try using the Illuminating Mineral Veil, which has a hint of shimmer, or dust Pure Radiance, a natural golden peachy sheen on cheekbones and around the hairline and that will take the edge off.

Back From St. Lucia!

Hi all! Hope everyone had a fabulous holiday with lots of time spent with family and friends. I'm finally back from a nice long vacay/honeymoon in St. Lucia and I'm really hating this freezing and windy East Coast weather. My husband and I were actually laughing about how everyone we knew was buried in two feet of snow and we were sipping frozen cocktails on the beach. (I know, we're mean).

I have lots of fun pics to share from the trip and of course some fab new product faves to post in the coming days so stay tuned!

Fake a Tropical Getaway with Too Faced

I always have a nightmare of a time trying to find a facial self tanner that I like. They're always too orange, make me break out, stink, or are just all around unpleasant to have on. That all changed when I discovered Too Faced Tanning Bed in a Tube for Face. This super lightweight, tinted-with-a-hint-of-shimmer formula provides a natural looking tan gradually and evenly, plus it has a delicious cocunutty scent. Even though it's tinted with shimmer, I actually like to use it at night because I'm a slave to my daytime routine. In a few days you're left with a gorgeous tropical glow.

I like to amp up the tan for nighttime, or on days when I'm just feeling pale and lackluster with Caribbean in a Compact in Sun Bunny. This is the perfect bronzer for anyone with light to medium skin. It looks so natural with an ever so slight shimmer. I dust it on around the hairline, forehead, bride of nose and hollows of cheeks.

Even if you were stuck at home during the holidays, everyone will think you just came back from a fab island getaway!

The Most Natural Flush Ever

I am obsessed with Benefit's powders. Dallas, Georgia, 10, Thrrrob, Coralista...the list goes on. I can now add Sugarbomb, Benefit's newest face powder, to my list. Four flattering shades of peach, plum, shimmery pink and rose blend together to create one super powder. With all of these shades included in one powder, it's a guarantee that it will work with every skin tone. I also love that a natural bristle brush is included, and it's actually one you'll use, unlike those flimsy little drugstore hard, scratchy brush varieties.

Aside from the face powders, I actually wish I owned everything Benefit makes. I think the reason I love the brand so much is that the products are high quality and do what they say and most importantly, they're fun! I mean it's makeup after all, not brain surgery and I love Benefit's funky, colorful packaging and cheeky product descriptions.

I think my next purchases will either be the glam idol or sexy starlet collections, both part of Holiday '09.

Beauty Crush: Clinique Superdefense SPF 25 Age Defense Moisturizer

This has to be the best anti-aging moisturizer I've ever tried. I've always loved that Clinique breaks each of its moisturizers into three different categories: very dry to dry, dry to combination and combination to oily so you can still get all of the benefits of a great anti-aging moisturizer with SPF, while also getting the texture your skin type needs. I use the combo to oily skin formula and it feels amazing on, doesn't make me shiny or break out and makeup glides on easily over it. I also love it because it offers three benefits in one: moisture, SPF and free radical protection. You can just use this one cream during the day instead of layering a ton of different serums, lotions and sunscreens. I even apply around the eye area (just be sure to not get it in your eyes since it's not an actual eye cream). If you're looking for a do-it-all day cream, this is definitely for you.

Christmas in the Islands

This year I have the pleasure of spending the holidays in St. Lucia and I couldn't be more excited. The only (small) downside? Since it's the dead of winter where I am, and 85 where I'll be going, I have to pull all of my summer clothes out of storage and wash and pack them. And of course most importantly, I have to load up on sunscreen, which can be hard to find this time of year. Luckily my all time two favorite SPFs - La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid and Peter Thomas Roth Instant Mineral Powder SPF 45 - are easy to find anytime of the year.

I apply the LRP Anthelios 60 on in the morning and then hit the beach or pool. For the level of SPF, I can't believe how light and non-greasy this formula is. It leaves a nice, refreshing matte finish behind instead of the typical greasy shine of other high SPF sunscreens. It's so light, I even use it as my daily sunscreen during the summer. Bonus: it's water-resistant and contains a power house antioxidant complex.

For mid-afternoon touch ups, I love to apply the Peter Thomas Roth mineral powder. I don't know about you, but I can't imagine baking in the sun, and then reapplying a lotion or cream sunscreen on my most-likely sweaty face - yuck! That's why this product is so genius: it's a mineral powder in a tube with a brush attached so application is a breeze, it travels well, and it doesn't feel heavy and gross after multiple reapplications. I always keep one on me no matter what the season.

La Roche-Posay can be found at CVS/pharmacy counters and Peter Thomas Roth can be purchased at Sephora.

Bring the Spa Home with La Mer The Hydrating Facial

Now that we've had our first snow fall, I can officially say that it feels like winter. The increasingly dropping temps combined with the dry, indoor heat can really do a number on skin, which is why I like to change up my routine to more soothing products - i.e. cleansing lotions instead of gels, cream moisturizers vs. lotion. I've also been skipping the spa facials in favor of DIY versions and one of my favorite new masks is La Mer The Hydrating Facial.

This luxurious facial comes in the form of a super soft cotton mask infused with ingredients like tourmaline to deliver intense hydration and marine extracts to fight the signs of aging. What I love most is there's no water, no cream, no mess. You simply lay the upper and lower portions of the mask over face, lay down and relax for eight minutes and then massage the remaining treatment into skin until fully absorbed. Perfect if you want to look radiant and glowing before your holiday parties.

Six applications retail for $250 and unless you're very dry, you can get away with using the facial once a month like you would a regular spa facial, plus there is something so deliciously decadent about La Mer, that makes the splurge worth it. The La Mer website is currently offering complimentary shipping and samples included in your order so now is a great time to snatch this, or your other La Mer favorites up!

Give Us a Kiss

So I recently flew to New Jersey for my best friend's wedding and it was a glorious 60 degrees. I arrive back to Indiana and it's 30 and snowing and I'm pretty certain this will be a regular occurrence until about May. Ever since the drop in temp my lips have been severely chapped; and the fact that I bite them (really not good if they're already dry and cracked) isn't helping matters. It's officially time to bring in the big guns - check out my top three lip savers below.

Smith's Rosebud Salve is an all in one moisturizing wonder. Not only is it one of my fave travel products (check out my post here for more on that) but I love that it can be used under or over lip color. There's nothing worse than when you put on lipstick only to discover it goes on completely unevenly due to your dry, cracked situation. This salve smooths things out, looks nice on its own and is super moisturizing.

I love Kiehl's Lip Balm #1, both in the original formula with SPF 4 and the SPF 15 variety. The consistency is so smooth and super hydrating without feeling sticky or greasy. This balm leaves a nice, natural sheen behind and is perfect to put on before bed.

Philosophy Kiss Me Very Emollient lip balm is exactly what the name describes: it has a super rich, balm/salve-like consistency and it moisturizes so well courtesy of Vitamin E, kiwi and almond oils, you don't have to reapply it 20 times a day. I'm partial to the clear, which leaves a natural shine and the pink, which infuses lips with just a hint of natural pink tint.

Prime Time

The holiday party circuit is right around the corner, which means cocktailing, mingling and looking perfectly made up while jetting to various soirees. So what's the key to ensuring your makeup lasts? It's a good primer people, and I bet many of you don't use one! Primer helps your makeup stay flawless while partying all night long and ahem, into the next morning for some of us. Here are a few of the best of the best:

Smashbox Photo Finish Light: the lightweight version of the original cult favorite Photo Finish, this primer is perfect for oily or sensitive skin. Packed with vitamin C, peptides, vitamins and antioxidants, this primer not only helps makeup last for hours, it improves the appearance of skin. Light diffusers minimize the appearance of imperfections while oil absorbers provide a smooth, matte finish.

Makeup For Ever HD Micro-Perfecting Primer: this nourishing primer helps makeup glide on easily and last all day (and night) and comes in color correcting shades and a translucent shade. My favorite is the blue, which adds radiance to fair skin and reduces minor imperfections.

NARS Makeup Primer: this brand can just do no wrong in my eyes; I have never tried a product from NARS I didn't love. This gel-creme primer is lightweight and contains natural botanicals to reduce redness, making it ideal for sensitive skin or those with rosacea.

Beauty Crush: LRP Xerand Hand Repair Cream

It's about that time when the consistently cold temps start to wreak havoc on our hair and skin, and the first place I notice the severe dryness is my hands. Also, with all of this swine flu and crazy colds going around I've turned into a hand washing, purell rubbing freak so my hands became extremely dry, red and itchy in no time. I hate incessantly applying hand cream all day because my palms get sweaty (does anyone else have this problem?) which makes my hands feel dirty and then I ultimately end up washing them. It's a vicious cycle.

That's why I am so obsessed with La Roche-Posay Xerand Hand Repair Cream because it offers intense hydration that heals not only the dryness but the redness and itchies, without that greasy feeling. The key is to apply at nighttime on damp skin - it really seals in the moisture. I also usually apply in the morning again and I'm good for the entire day. Bonus: it's actually water-resistant, so wash away people!

Pick up La Roche-Posay products at CVS, Duane Reade or online at the LRP site for $13.50.