Beauty Crush: Philosophy Beach Girl

I absolutely love the Philosophy 3-in-1 shower gel, bubble bath and shampoos because they have a million different fabulous smelling scents. I was given the Beach Girl set from my very thoughtful friend K as a belated bday gift and I am already in love. Between the adorbs packaging and the yummy tangerine/orange julius flavor, with one whiff I'm instantly transported back to my reckless youth spending every minute of summer on the beach and boardwalk, instead of dying of heat stroke walking to the subway to work each day. 

The set contains:

- 4.0 oz Beach Girl Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath - leaves skin and hair refreshed and super clean
- 4.0 oz Beach Girl Body Lotion - hydrates without being greasy and heavy
- 0.5 oz Beach Girl High-Gloss, High-Flavor Lip Shine - super shiny, fab tasting gloss 

Pick up this set at Sephora and soak up the last month of summer.

Whitney's Secret to Boosting Her Brows

What's the secret to Whitney Port's full, yet perfectly polished brows? According to her makeup artist Lisa Garner, it's Talika Eyebrow Extender. Says Garner: "I love to use Talika's Eyebrow Extender when doing Whitney Port's eyebrows. Not only do the fibers build a natural looking brow, the gel really keeps them in place... so they looked beautifully groomed all night long."

I love a full brow, and as someone with anorexic ones, it's not easy to achieve and still have natural results. Thanks to the magic fibers in Talika Eyebrow Extender, we all can have Whit's natural but still groomed look.

Designer Deals: Beauty Story

I've been loving the fact that discount designer sites like Rue La La and Gilt Groupe have been adding more beauty sales to their roster, but I've really been craving more sites strictly dedicated to beauty. Enter Beauty Story, a new private sale beauty site featuring brands like mdskincare, Thierry Mugler and tarte among others. 

Head on over to the Beauty Story website to sign up and start shopping! Check out the sales for the week below:

Monday: SCO Custom for Beauty Story

Tuesday: Scarlett Cosmetics

Wednesday: Booty Parlor

Thursday: Giella Custom Blend Cosmetics

Friday: Davi Napa Skin Care

Saturday: Fashion Finale MEGA Sale

Since I love ya, BITNB readers can score $10 off the SCO Custom sale by using coupon code SCOCUSTOM at checkout.

Avon Anew Emulsions

I'm a huge advocate of preventative care when it comes to aging, but with so many products out there, sometimes a girl has to wonder if using a heavy-duty anti-ager meant for a 50 year old at 25 is really the greatest idea. Avon solves this problem with Anew Emulsions - a new line of age-fighting night moisturizers for specific age groups: 30+, 40+ and 50+ and their respective concerns.

Anew Rejuvenate Night Sapphire Emulsion is for the 30+ crowd, although late 20s can easily hop on this train. This intense moisturizer helps to smooth and refine, and virtually erase the look of pores.

Anew Reversalist Night Sterling Emulsion for 40+ helps to smooth fine lines and firm skin. Sterling Polypeptide Complex replenishes moisture and helps skin maintain a youthful appearance.

Anew Ultimate Night Gold Emulsion for 50+ increases moisture levels by 400%, while providing an uplifted youthful look. Pro Sirtuin TX stimulates youth proteins to repair.

So now no matter what your age you can look up to five years younger and not have to wonder if a certain product is right for your age group. Visit avon.com to locate a representative to purchase.

Get The Look: Christina Hendricks at Mad Men Premiere

One of my fave shows - Mad Men - is almost back on the air, and Christina Hendricks looked a-mazing at the premiere last night. She looks so great on the show, but I love seeing her so un-Joan-like with a smokey eye and a matte pinky lip. Celeb makeup artist Vanessa Scali created the look using all NARS - check out the rundown below:

• Bangkok Pure Matte Lipstick (Available September 1)
• Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
• Skin Smoothing Face Prep
• Sheer Glow Foundation
• Douceur Blush (Part of Fall 2010; available on narscosmetics.com)
• Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil
• Coconut Grove Single Eyeshadow (Part of Fall 2010; available on narscosmetics.com)
• Cayenne Cream Eyeshadow
• Skorpios Soft Touch Shadow Pencil
• Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara

Pure Matte Lipstick will be available September 1 at Saks Fifth Avenue and everything else you can grab now at narscosmetics.com. I have to say, I am normally not a fan of a matte lip, but I'm really feeling this shade. What do you think?

Beauty Crush: Too Faced Lip Injection

I'll let you in on a secret: 9 out of 10 lip plumpers don't work. But Too Faced Lip Injection does, and really well at that. It's definitely one of those no pain no gain plumpers that produces a serious tingle, verging on a sting, but lips get a noticeable boost in plumpness so it's all worth it to me. Plus Lip Injection gives a serious shine and has a cinnamon taste that's fab. 

Because of the tingly-blood-rushing-to-your-lips-effect, you can use this alone for that pinky bitten lip look, or layer over lipstick.

Pick up at Sephora for $18.50 and then practice your best Angelina Jolie pouty lip face in the mirror.

Test Drive: Maybelline The Falsies Mascara

As soon as I started hearing about Maybelline The Falsies mascara I was intrigued. I'm a girl who loves lashes and whenever a new mascara comes out I have to try it. Especially when said mascara promises to mimic the look of false lashes, minus the painstakingly annoying application. 

The Experience:

The first thing I noticed was the swoop design of the brush, which reminds me a little of the Lash Stiletto brush. I tested out the mascara two ways; first by using on a bare eye, then with a whole shadow and liner job. The Falsies created amazing volume and length and I was surprised by how much my eyes stood out with nothing other than mascara. The effect was only amplified of course when I used it with a smoky eye. 

The key is in the brush, the Kera-fiber formula and and the application. This is a buildable formula, which means that you need to get the brush in close to the lash line and wiggle up to the tip and repeat until you create the desired fullness and length. You can put on 20 coats and it won't clump - this formula is amazing!

The Verdict:

Better than false lashes! Maybelline The Falsies creates long, full, feathery lashes that look like you sat and applied individual falsies to your lash line for an hour. And I love that you can create a soft daytime look or major nighttime look with the same mascara simply by adding a few coats. Pick up at drugstores for around $6.99.

New: NARS Limited Edition Lip Gloss Collection for Sephora

Love NARS blush shades like Oasis and Angelika? Well now you can get them in a lip gloss with the new NARS limited edition collection for Sephora. The new shades, priced at $24 each are (l to r):

• Oasis (sparkling pink champagne)
• Luster (sheer golden apricot)
• Super Orgasm (peachy pink with gold glitter)
• Angelika (cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle)
• Albatross (luminous glow)

Scoop up the new shades, available now, at Sephora.com.

Limited Edition: tarte Ten Cheek Stain

In honor of tarte's bday, the brand introduced a limited edition shade of its best-selling cheek stain. Ten is a bright pink shade that suits all skin tones and is housed in a cool studded tube. tarte cheek stains are one of my favorite products because no matter what the shade they give you the most natural flush ever, are full of natural and beneficial ingredients like antioxidants and they smell amazing.  

Tip: sweep across the back of your hand, then dip fingers in and pat and blend across apples of cheeks instead of swiping on straight from the tube.

Ten is the perfect juicy pink shade for a natural flush of color so head over to the tarte website to purchase.

Five Easy Steps To A Well Rested Look

I have been busy busy lately - spending weekends away, working to the bone, actually going to the gym more than once a month, and my sleep has been sacrificed. I'm an eight hour girl, and if I get less, I look it. Since my life isn't getting any less busy anytime soon, I've had to figure out how to stay, and look, awake on minimal sleep (hint: lots of coffee and a few key products/techniques do the trick).

1. Apply concealer where needed - around nose, on blemishes/discoloration, under eyes. I've mentioned my love of Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge before so this is my go-to. Even though you'll want to, don't pack concealer on your under eye area in an effort to cover up dark circles. Instead, use an undereye brightener (I love Smashbox Photo Op - it's sleep in a tube!) and either lightly tap on top of concealer or mix with it and pat on the under eye area.

2. Dust bronzer with a hint of shimmer in a "3" motion, meaning start at the top of your forehead, come down into your cheekbone, then sweep back out around the jawline. The goal is to define bone structure and the tiny bit of shimmer perks up tired, dull looking skin. Check out Too Faced Caribbean in a Compact in Sun Bunny, which contains two shades and the perfect amount of shimmer. 

3. Apply a neutral beige shimmery shadow and skip liner, it will make eyes look smaller and the goal is to make them look big, bright and awake! Nothing beats Smashbox Eyelights in Beam for making eyes look sparkly and well-rested. Add an extra highlight on the brow bone and inner corners with Benefit High Beam (it's a liquid highlighter so just be sure to sweep on your hand then use a tiny brush to apply to inner eye corners).

4. Use a lengthening instead of a volumizing mascara, which will open up the eye area instead of make it look hooded with a thick fringe. Maybelline Lash Stiletto will do the trick.

5. Finish off with NARS Orgasm blush and a pink gloss like Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Blush and you'll be looking all bright and cheery, even if you could fall asleep standing up.

Fall Preview: NARS

I have got to talk about fall collections; it's the only thing keeping my mind off of this heat! If you're in the NYC area wasn't today just the worst? I barely had one foot out of my building when I started breaking a sweat. It had to have been at least 90% humidity today, no? 

Moving on. NARS is one of those iconic brands that can do no wrong in my eyes. I would buy every product, every shade and I absolutely love seeing what seasonal collections they come out with. Fall 2010 definitely doesn't disappoint. 

What I love so much about the collection is that it definitely feels fall, but isn't all dark and grey; there's some major color going on here. Check out the promo ad with the absolutely gorge Daphne Guinness and all the upcoming products, then man your computer July 15th to order online. 

NARS Fall 2010 Collection:

Douceur Blush ($26.00)

This is definitely my new fall blush. A soft pink-brown hue perfect for all skin tones embossed with the NARS logo.

Daphne Eyeshadow ($23.00) (Limited Edition)
Major pigment alert. A matte, deep violet single shadow that delivers major color payoff and spices up fall's neutrals.(Limited Edition)

Mangrove Eyeshadow ($23.00) (Limited Edition)
Richly pigmented yellow to highlight the inner corner of eye, use as a base shade or diffuse with a deeper shade.

Coconut Grove Eyeshadow ($23.00)
Dark chocolate that makes a perfect liner (use it wet for impact, dry for a soft finish) or to define the crease.

Rouge Basque Lipstick ($24.00) (Limited Edition)
This red, wine, brownish hybrid leaves a luminous satin finish perfect for when you're tired of sheer glosses and want a real fall pigmented lip moment. 

Strawberry Fields Lip Gloss ($24.00) (Limited Edition)
NARS lipglosses have major color payoff and this juicy strawberry shade provides a beautiful glossy finish. Definitely a fall lip staple.

Palladium Soft Touch Shadow Pencil ($24.00) (Limited Edition)
Gives a bright turquoise unexpected pop of color to eyes. Rim upper and lower lash lines for a defined effect, or smudge out to soften for a sheer wash.

Tzarine Eyeshadow Duo ($32.00)
I love the juxtaposition of the platinum gold with the steel grey. So many different looks can be created with just this duo.

Rajasthan Eyeshadow Duo ($32.00) (Limited Edition)

Similar to the Tzarine duo, but these colors are softer and warmer with a peachy almond and a cool charcoal. 

What do you think of the NARS Fall Collection?

Test Drive: L'Oreal EverStrong

I'd been intrigued for some time about L'Oreal's EverStrong line, which promised to inject strength in hair in just one wash. Having fragile hair that's, ah, enhanced with bleach shall we say, I feel like my hair is constantly breaking and splitting and I was hoping EverStrong would be the solution.

The Experience:
Like its predecessor EverPure, EverStrong is free of sulfates and harsh detergents, so it won't strip or fade color. Available in Hydrate, Bodify and Reconstruct, I chose the third formula since highlighting and using heat appliances way too much had done a number on my hair. 

The first thing I noticed when applying was that my hair literally soaked up the thick, rich conditioner and I thought wow, I must have some serious damage. I was also running late that day so I skipped the smoothing serum and after blowdrying I realized I didn't even need it anyway. After just one wash my hair felt strong and had significantly less flyaways, and it's been getting better ever since.

I've also noticed significantly less breakage. Considering I'm the type who sits there forever staring at my strands and snapping off the areas of breakage I know this stuff is working.

The Verdict:
Pick up L'Oreal EverStrong shampoo, conditioner, deep replenishing mask and overnight treatment if you're looking for a gentle, non stripping formula that keeps color in tact but imparts some serious strength to flimsy strands. This works better than most salon brands I've used and it's also a major bargain at under $10

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection

MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with one of my absolute favorite designers, Alice + Olivia - they are IT if you're looking for a fabulous party dress moment. So of course it's no surprise that the collection is definitely party makeup-esque (or everyday if you're adventurous). I've been having a serious turquoise and pink fetish as of late (it all started with Chanel's summer collection) so I'm all over this. The goods hit counters July 8th or you can just be sneaky and buy online now. If you spend $50, you get free shipping.

MAC Cosmetics Alice + Olivia Collection:

Nail Lacquer ($12)

    * Morning.After – Creamy, get-noticed turquoise
    * So Rich So Pretty – A party-ready purple with a hint of frost
    * Military – Black matte with silver suede

 Dazzleglass Creme ($18)

    * Sparklicious – Creamy, softest pink with multidimensional pearl
    * If It’s Pink – Shimmering, hot to trot pink
    * I.Want.Candy – Electric yellow with a sparkling edge

Pigment ($19.50)

    * Later – Deepest black with a hint of purple pearl
    * If It Sparkles – Frosty white plus a touch of pink
    * Partylicious - Groovy turquoise mixed with silver sparkle

Designer Deals: Mario Badescu on Gilt

Starting tomorrow at noon, Mario Badescu skin care is on sale at Gilt.com and yours truly will be fighting it out to stock up. If you're not familiar with the brand, it's an incredibly easy to navigate line that's results-driven. Whether your concern is aging, acne or anything in between, MB has a solution. It's definitely a no-frills brand with simple packaging, but it has a cult following for a reason. 

Not a member of Gilt? Here's your hookup:

http://www.gilt.com/invite/lindsayelkins

Meltproof Your Makeup

It's a cooker out there babies, and it's not breaking anytime soon. With tomorrow's high reaching 100, if you plan on spending anymore than 30 seconds outdoors, you're susceptible to the dreaded makeup meltdown. You know you've been there: mascara that ends up on your cheek, eyelids creased to the heavens and streaky foundation and blush. Luckily a few tips and strategic products can keep makeup meltdown to a minimum, and you can actually stay outside for longer than five minutes - not that you want to.

Face:

Primer is your best friend here, preferably an oil-free, oil-controlling version, such as Smashbox PhotoFinish Light, which is my personal favorite when I need a matte finish. Unless you desperately need it, skip foundation and just use concealer under eyes and on any discoloration. My pick for amazing all day coverage: Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge covers flawlessly and won't cake up. Set with loose powder (Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil is my all time favorite) and dust on matte bronzer like tarte's new matte and waterproof version of Park Avenue Princess.

Eyes:

Nothing compares to tarte's Lock & Roll 12-hour eyeshadow when you need crease and waterproof shadow that really holds up to the elements. This stuff stays on so well you can skip the eye primer altogether. Finish with a few coats of waterproof mascara. My fave is Revlon 3-D Extreme.

Cheeks:

Powder is really the way you want to go here since creams and gels can add to the sticky factor. Try Benefit CORALista for a natural summer flush without any shimmer, which is the last thing that should be in your products in this kind of heat. 

Lips:

Stains are perfect for an all-day juicy tint that stands up to heat and humidity, won't feather, and won't goop up like gloss or lipstick. Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain comes in an easy-to-use marker application and won't rub or smear.

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th. I adore fireworks, and even wanted them to go off as my now-husband and I were walking out of our reception venue at our wedding, but thought it was a little over the top, even for moi.