02.14.2012
Third Annual Anti-Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Here it was the first year…and here it was the second. Welcome to my third installation of my annual Anti-Valentine’s Day Gift Guide. I don’t do these because I’m down on love (I love love!) but instead, I like to find gifts that help me treat ME on Valentine’s Day. These are things that I want and would probably make my boyfriend buy me anyway…if I had one. Ha. That’s a totally different story…

Moroccan Oil: This stuff has been a beauty industry staple, and I’ve had my bottle since the beginning. But it’s only now that I’ve been consistantly using this stuff and guys, it is good. Not only is the smell of this amazing (it is) but my ends are sleeker and easier to tame.

Lancome Flash Bronzer Anti-Age: I’ve blogged about this line before so I was elated when I found out they’re now making a face version that has SPF 15! Lancome is just amazing and aside from the SPF, this self tanner doesn’t actually smell like a self tanner. It has hints of jasmine and honey – two of my favorites.

Tarte Maracuja Blush & Glow: I’m a sucker for a two in one, always. I love the way this tints my cheeks but here’s a secret – I also use it as a quick bronzer when I’m too lazy to use my Lancome (above).

01.04.2012
Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m skeptical on primers. I know, I know, it goes against pretty much everything a makeup artist will tell you. Given that my skin has been in a tragic place for the last two weeks, I decided to try a new foundation primer and I’m actually pretty obsessed with it – Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer, to be exact. The primer leaves an immediate cooling sensation on the skin (which feels all kind of amazing on my rosacea at the moment). And, this particular formula contains Hydraplex12 extract derived from desert plants, which allows the primer to immediately hydrate while also sealing in the moisture with a protective barrier that fills in fine lines and pores. I’ve definitely seen a difference and my mineral powder foundation goes on a LOT smoother, even with breakouts. Approved.

12.14.2011
Holiday Gift Guide: The Party Girl Co-Worker

As per usual, your party girl co-worker IMs you at 5:30 and says “what are you doing after work? Wanna get drinks?” You love her, admit it. These gifts will tide her over until St. Patrick’s Day.

Sequin Cheetah pillow; $27

TastingRoom.com Mario Batali Selection Wine Lovers’ Road Trip; $33

Rebecca Minkoff Cory Drinks On Me wallet; $55

Bobbi Brown Party Shimmer Brick; $40

12.08.2011
Holiday Gift Guide: The Sophisticated Cousin

My cousin Nikki has a lust for all things sparkly and designer. Being that I’m not about to buy her a YSL bag, I usually opt for designer makeup or something with sequins.

Anthropologie Looking Glass Decanters, $58 each

Benefit Moisture Prep Toning Lotion, $29

West Elm Deco Sequin Pillow, $34

YSL Glamorous Essentials Kit, $70

11.15.2011
Rachel Roy Eyeshadow Palette

I absolutely love Rachel Roy as a designer so I was super excited when I heard she decided to venture into the beauty world with her very first Eyeshadow Palette. Naturally, it’s backordered until November 21st but hey, that’s not that long so whatever. The palette also includes an oh-so-trendy QR code on the back that will direct you to online tutorials on how to create some of her signature makeup looks with the palette. The colors are also pretty amazing…you get the perfect mix of daytime neutrals and fun, bright colors for night. This is totally my next go-to palette which, for me, is very rare to find since I’m so picky about eyeshadow colors.

10.19.2011
Obsession: Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++

I’ve been hearing about B.B. creams for awhile now but it was just recently that I was given the chance to try one…and ladies, it’s magnificent. What exactly is a B.B. cream, you ask? Well “B.B” stands for either “beauty balm” or “blemish balm” and basically it’s a moisturizer, foundation, concealer and sunscreen on one. I mean, right? It’s somewhat like a tinted moisturizer but what I love about Boscia’s version, the Boscia B.B. Cream SPF 27 PA++, is that the shade is actually self-adjusting so the universal shade warms to complement most skin tones and covers any spots or hyperpigmentation in addition to protecting skin from future sun damage with SPF 27.

The B.B. cream is pretty much ideal for my skin since I’m slightly acne-prone and have sensitive (often red) skin with freckles. Love this. And really, love anything that’s “big in Japan.”