in the bag

it’s been awhile since i’ve featured one of these and i just cannot get enough of this speck-and-a-smidge cosmetic bag from the marvelously talented stephanie johnson. i love that it looks like a gorgeous clutch (you could totally a get away with using it as one) and features a beautiful interior lining with a mirror tucked inside its perfect little pocket! it’s large enough to hold all of your essentials and best yet, looks totally fabulous as you pull it out of your purse or carry-on. if the paisley’s not your thing, stephanie also makes a version in ikat and ditsy flora eliminating any excuses not to make one of these your own.

fuller fringe

2009 saw the introduction of prescription lash serums like latisse to the scene which promised to boost lashes so significantly, some customers would find the need to trim them back! new for twenty-ten is the idea of adding growth-stimulating ingredients to the mascaras that we already apply each morning and first to market is l’oreal’s double extend lash boosting mascara, an update of a glossarie fave. the original coated lashes with an extender and then magnified them with a tubing mascara for a long lush, envy-inducing effect. this one does the same but includes a formula that actually stimulates lashes to grow longer and stronger making it an unbeatable ten dollar triple threat. since the first one worked wonders for my lashes, i can’t wait to get my hands on this new version!

have you tried it? tell us in the comments!

champagne kisses

we can all get away with an extra bit of shine this time of year. be it a sparkly shadow, jeweled ballet flats, or ultra glitz a la katy perry. if you’re looking to winterize your makeup collection without replacing each product, let me recommend a solution. bird of paradise gloss from becca cosmetics can be layered or mixed with all your existing goodies to give them that little something extra. it can be swiped on cheeks, lips, even eyes to lighten and brighten with a pearly glow for a very happy highlighted holiday season.

eye buy

looking for a way to keep brows looking fresh between waxings? this double-sided chunky pencil from soap and glory is a compact little brow kit that actually shapes, shifts, and lifts. the left side fills in the sparse spots while the right side works to highlight under the brow giving the illusion of a perfectly sculpted shape. the long-wearing formula is  a neutral shade, making it appropriate for beauties of all skintones and hair colors. since it’s your brows that give your face its definition, they’re worth investing in, but thanks to arch de triumph’s $10 pricetag, you won’t have to!

scentimental reading

behold my latest and greatest find in the land of beauty reads. i have both literally and figuratively got my nose stuck in this definitive guide to the world of perfume. before now, i was clueless about top notes and base notes. i couldn’t even begin to tell you what comprised a certain scent on first sniff, or even my favorite scent after years of wearing it. perfumes: the a-z guide came to the rescue, answering some burning questions about various scent vocab, changing fragrances seasonally, how to pick a perfect perfume, and so much more! it also houses over 300 pages of reviews and nine top 10 lists which were the result of over 1500 product tests. overall, it’s a real treat of an easy read that will be much adored by any fragrance lover, wearer, or gifter.

this works

meet vogue beauty guru kathy phillips’ award-winning collection of products that deliver what they promise on the bottle and leave your skin looking and feeling incredible. “this works” is the phrase kathy heard time and time again from product testers  who found that her simplistic packages hide modern-day solutions to nearly every skincare ailment. i’m particularly sweet on perfect cleavage (because it’s never too early to start caring for the skin below the chin!) and super moisture which indulges my face, protecting it from environmental damage and preventing signs of aging all at the same time. aside from skincare, this works covers body moisturizers and muscle therapy as well as bath oils, shower gels, and a wide range of natural candles. so whatever your woes, if you’ve been searching for something that just works, hop on over to beautyhabit or thisworks.com to meet your new best friends.

sugar rush

benefit’s powders are tiny dress-up trunks for your cheeks. over the years, they’ve created one for everyone from pale ballerina pink to sun-kissed bronze and they call their latest creation, sugarbomb, a  “sweet rush of gorgeous.” the combination of rose, shimmering pink, soft plum, and peach gives a pretty, customizable flush that’s impossible to achieve with a monotone blush. while the colors may be a bit intense for some, benefit’s finely milled formula means you can start out with a subtle swipe or two and really build to whatever suits your skintone. as with all multi-shade products, you can concentrate the brush in one area that flatters your face or catch an all-over sweep for a unique glow. gotta have it? these four pretty shades for the price of one can be found at the candy shop of beauty treats that is your local benefit counter for $28.

on your mark!

i know we’re all feeling the pinch on our wallets these days, but i’m not one that likes to sacrifice my vices so i’m returning to an old friend known as mark. the whole collection works together in clever little systems like these custom pick eye shadows which are beautifully pigmented and long wearing for their $4.50 pricetag. the shadows can be be snapped into this custom color palette for $6 along with mark’s good glowing blush creating an effortlessly portable makeup look. other purse-friendly party tricks include the hook ups connector and its endless list of compatible products — from lip gloss, to brushes, mascara, gel blush, and skincare. impressed? if you’d like to meet mark and start picking your pretty, you can find a local rep or shop online.

more subtle than smokey

i just bought an edgy black dress from my favorite consignment shop and i really want to match it with a funkier beauty look, especially a smokey eye. as you can imagine, for one beauty blogger who rarely touches eyeliner, the whole multi-step process can be a bit daunting. (fyi, on the regular, my eye makeup consists of mascara and one swipe of toast-colored shadow  if i remember). thanks to smashbox and this waterproof shadow liner duo in goddess, i’m inching closer to the dark and stormy look that i long to participate in without looking like i got punched. the silvery taupe shadow on the left is beautiful on its own but lays the perfect base for the deep purple shimmer liner on the right which is right on trend, less harsh than classic black and won’t budge or smear. so rejoice, dreary lids of mine! you’re about to take a walk on the wild — but not too wild — side.

tranquility in a tube

when i need to unwind, there is nothing more purely pampering than climbing into a steamy bath to soak. sadly, it’s not a luxury i get to partake in very often so i like to really indulge when i do get the chance. to cure my end-of-semester blues, fresh sugarbath cubes are top of the line. they come in two scents — lemon and lychee — and fizz up when tossed into your tub actually removing dead cells and renewing skin as you lounge. so whether you did yourself in on black friday or are facing a frenzied few weeks before enjoying the holidays with your beloveds, be sure to take some “you” time and bring these nourishing little cubes along for calm and comfort. they also make great gifts for the ladies in your life!