Five for Friday: Multitasking Beauty Superheroes

Everyone already knows that conditioner can double as shaving cream (another tip: mix with water in a spray bottle to keep crazy beach hair in check). Here are five more multitasking miracles that do everything from taming cowlicks to banishing nasty odors. What are your favorite beauty multitaskers?1. Anastasia Brow Gel. I cannot live without this! Beauty experts have proclaimed clear mascara as

Five for Friday: Multitasking Miracles in a Jar (or Tube)

Ever ask someone about a classic moisturizer and get this answer? "Oh! I use ________ for EVERYTHING! Face, hands, cuticles, lips, eczema, elbows, feet, bug bites, windburn, sunburn, steam burns, even flyaway hairs!" The list of uses seems to go on and on, doesn't it?Well, maybe they're on to something. And these five classic formulations seem to be the most popular answers. For the record, my

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all my US readers celebrating the holiday! We're just wrapping up a MAJOR feast at my parents' house, and food coma is imminent.

I hope you're all having a wonderful day filled with delicious treats, friends, family and laughter. Personally, I'm incredibly thankful for the way this year has turned around. The end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 were pretty tough, with my

Prada L'Eau Ambree

Prada L'Eau Ambree came to my attention when my friend K announced that she'd just purchased it. I'd never known her to wear anything but Hanae Mori and Chanel Chance, so for her to pick another fragrance, it had to be good.

So of course, I stopped by my trusty Neiman's beauty floor to sniff it. L'Eau Ambree is Prada's latest, a modern take on traditional amber. Notes include cedrat, rose de

Five for Friday: Autumn Fragrances, Part 2

When I finished my last post on autumn comfort scents, I couldn't help feeling that there were other bottles just waiting forlornly in my perfume cabinet for their very own mention. And indeed, there are more than five scents I wear this season. Here are a few more that tend to end up in heavy rotation during the autumn months:1. Narciso Rodriguez wears a bit heavy on me during summer (if I'm

Sensuous Skin, Even in the Dead of Winter

Ah! What's this I spy on the Estee Lauder site? Sensuous, in a dry oil spray!My dears, this has "holiday party" written all over it. I've already named Sensuous as one of my favorite fall scents, and now that it's available in a smooth, moisturizing body oil spray, it's even better.How can you beat a product that makes you smell sweet, keeps scaly winter skin at bay, and gives you a gorgeous

Out on the Town With Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes

Bare Escentuals' Buxom Babes About Town set combines four petite plumping glosses with four plumping pencils that work either as liners or lip colors.

The colors in the image here look a little bit washed out (I wish I'd taken my own photo), but they're actually quite pretty and offer a nice selection of shades.

As you might know from previous reviews, I'm a fan of the Buxom lip polishes; they

Five for Friday: The Forgotten (Travel Essentials)

Don't you just hate it when you go on a trip and forget some truly critical beauty goods? I tend to forget the same things every time, for various reasons, which I'll explain below. Check out my five most forgotten items, and my favorites in each category:Lip Balm. Oh, I always pack plenty of glosses, and sometimes some lipsticks, but good old lip balm? I always forget it. Let's face it - even

Forever Krystle, Revisited

Does anyone remember Forever Krystle? This scent was truly ahead of its time. In an era when the only name in "celebrity fragrance" was Elizabeth Taylor, this was a perfume based on a fictional nighttime soap character. That's right...Krystle Carrington, oil queen extraordinaire from Dynasty, had her very own fragrance.And this powdery, floral scent is what I most associate with my grandmother's

Just a Spoonful of (Lemon) Sugar

Friends, please indulge me an Andy Rooney moment. There's something I just don't understand; maybe you can enlighten me, or at least nod your head in agreement.Why is the smell of sugar associated with lemons?I like the clean, crisp scent of Fresh's Sugar line, but it seems completely incongruous with the name. I understand the use of the Sugar name as far as ingredients go; a few of the original

Add Some Sheen to Your Skin With Sephora Dry Oil Spray

If you haven't yet been convinced that I'm pretty unwilling to let go of summer, based on some recent posts, this one will definitely put you over the edge (and yes, I'm aware that we're into November now).I was browsing around Sephora recently and had warm weather on my mind. Again. I was looking for something vacation-worthy, and when I meandered over to the Sephora brand bath & body display, I

SmoothAway We Go

I'm sure you've seen the ever-present infomercials for SmoothAway, the hair removal product that the company touts as "the fastest selling, most popular women's product in Europe." Hmmm. Dubious claim. So, does this miracle product really work?I picked up SmoothAway for $10 at the drugstore and decided to give it a whirl. Each package comes with two pink plastic mitts, one large for areas like

Satin Hands, Courtesy of the Pink Cadillac

So. Let's talk about Mary Kay. I've gotten lots of earnest emails over the years from enthusiastic Mary Kay reps, offering to send me products or hoping I'll mention Mary Kay (and their name) on the blog. Generally, I politely decline, for two reasons:1. I just can't support some of Mary Kay's sales tactics. Mary Kay is multi-level marketing at its worst, and often leaves its reps worse off than

NARS Blush Duo: Everybody's Got a Hungry Heart

Everybody needs a place to rest
Everybody wants to have a home
Don't make no difference what nobody says
Ain't nobody like to be alone

Everybody's got a hungry heart
Everybody's got a hungry heart
Lay down your money and you play your part
Everybody's got a hungry heart

Just wanted to start your day with some lyrics from the Boss! NARS Hungry Heart Blush Duo was part of the Spring 2009

Coffee House Smackdown

Back in high school I had a serious obsession with a line of creamy Lip Smackers. I think they were a sub-brand of the original -- I vaguely remember packaging that was just a bit different, they had pearlized caps, and the formulations were creamier and had a bit more color. The ones I had were all in the tan/brown family (VERY mid-'90s), and had flavors like nut, chocolate, vanilla, and the

Five for Friday: Autumn Comfort Scents

Some fragrances just seem to go better with a sweater, don't they? When the temperatures drop and the leaves change, I tend to reach for creamy, spicy scents, many of which have some vanilla in the base. Here, five of my favorite fall comfort scents, straight from my own perfume cabinet. What are your favorite fall fragrances?1. Serge Lutens Rousse is everything you could ever want in an autumn

The Expensive Hotel Smell: L'Occitane Bergamot Tea

Remember the Spa Smell we talked about a few months back? It's that light, slightly herbal whiff of scent that you immediately associate with bathrobes, massages and soft music. Erno Laszlo Gentle Body Exfoliator has it, and so does Darphin Age-Defying Lip Balm.

Now I think it's time to christen another scent category that has some serious luxury associations.

The idea came to me while I was

Three New Travel-Loving Scents from Tocca

Tocca's new Aqua Profumata series - meant to evoke a journey through southern Italy - is essentially a collection of fancy, luxurious body sprays.Having been a longtime fan of Tocca's candles and bath and body items, but a waffler when it comes to their fragrances, I had to sample the new offerings. Overall, they're pleasant and lovely, but none of them really blew me out of the water. They're

Meyer Mania

I've been slightly obsessed of late with Meyer lemons, those delicious little citrus fruits that smell wonderful and taste like a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange.Our kitchen has been churning out Meyer lemonade, and even a tasty new cocktail we invented, the Meyer Mojito (white rum and mint, but replace the limes with Meyer lemons, and swap out some of the club soda and sugar for a

A Little Piece of Paradise at The Body Shop

Another post about The Body Shop! (For now.) A few of you commented that you always pass it by and rarely go in - and the same goes for me. However, I think that'll soon be changing, as they really do have some lovely things in-store these days. And this one's truly a keeper, although it isn't exactly new.

If you feel a case of the winter blahs coming on, and need to transport yourself someplace

Sinner or Saint? Be Both With Kat Von D's New Fragrances

TV tattoo artist Kat Von D has expanded her makeup line at Sephora with two sister fragrances, Saint and Sinner. Cute concept (although it isn't the first time it's been done), and one that lends itself quite well to fun packaging.Honestly, the packaging is what I was after when I sought out the Kat Von D fragrances at Sephora. I didn't expect either fragrance to be that good, but I thought that

Get the Look: Scarlett Johansson at the Tribute to Cinema

At the Moet & Chandon Tribute to Cinema in Tokyo on October 20, Scarlett Johansson sported a messy sideswept bob, styled by David Babaii using products from his David Babaii for WildAid line. Want to recreate the look for your next fancy hair occasion? Check out David's tips below. (I only wish we had the breakdown for Scarlett's makeup, too!)1. Rough dry hair with Hair Polish applied to damp

Dress Up Your Deodorant with Donna Karan

For years I'd been hearing that Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant was a "cult favorite beauty item." I even heard stories of women swooping by the Donna Karan counter and buying up the entire stock! But for the life of me, I could never figure out why. I mean, come on, it's deodorant! What's the big deal?Well, I finally tried it out, and...I'm a convert. It's great. Just great.

Perfume Reincarnation: Jo Malone Lotus Blossom & Water Lily

As I was passing through Bloomingdale's recently, on my way to buy birthday presents and boots, I stopped by the Jo Malone counter for a little sniffage.

Lotus Blossom & Water Lily was my pick for the night, since I couldn't remember having sampled it before. It launched last year with a sister scent, Dark Amber & Ginger Lily, together comprising Jo Malone's Kohdo Wood collection.

There was an

Sorry TLC, I DO Want Scrubs

One of my favorite recent innovations in the skincare is the "instant facial" - a scrub that combines both chemical and physical exfoliants in a single tube, to deliver double-whammy smoothing power.

The first one I tried - and still my favorite - was Prescriptives Instant Gratifaction Skin Renewal Peel. Its combination of beta hydroxy acids and finely-milled exfoliating pumice delivered

L'Occitane Honey & Lemon

Is there anyone out there who doesn't like the combination of honey and lemon?Honey and lemon in tea, honey lemon cough drops (remember those old Ludens cough drops? Before they changed the recipe? Those were delicious)...there's just something so comforting about the combination, that reminds you of curling up on the couch with a cup of tea. And possibly a Snuggie.Anyhow, L'Occitane's latest is

More Lip Pencils for Pink-Lipped People

To get the full background on my problem with lip pencils, click here to read this post from June. Bottom line, sometimes they're a necessity to help keep lip color where it belongs, and to extend its staying power. But most of the popular "nude" pencils look orange or muddy on me, so I sing to high heaven whenever I find one that's truly pink-toned. Like self-tanner, this is one of those topics

Weekly Rewind, 10/26 - 11/1

Happy Day-After-Halloween, lovelies! (Or, actually, Happy All Saints' Day.) Did you dress up for the big night? I was Amy Winehouse, getting arrested by a state trooper with some creepy facial hair - check out an action shot here. And while you're on the couch nursing your Halloween hangover, why not catch up on last week's posts:

The Luna Twilight makeup collection is surprisingly pretty and

'Tis the Season for Solid Perfume Rings

Solid perfume rings seem to be cropping up everywhere these days! Last year brought us the Marc Jacobs Daisy ring, and now we have new baubles from Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Kat Von D.

What do you think of these oversized scented jewels? You know how much I love solid perfumes, so I just had to share, even though I probably won't be buying any of these. They're all around a size 7, and they

Five for Friday: Halloween-Worthy Beauty Goodies

Boo! In honor of tomorrow's Halloween festivities, I present to you five products that really capture the holiday spirit, guaranteed to please ghouls, goblins, and trick-or-treaters everywhere:1. Philosophy I Love Candy Corn Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath honestly smells like the real thing! This one's super-sweet, but won't rot your teeth. I love the layered effect of the bottle! Also try out

2009 Holiday Collection: Givenchy Les Perles

Pearls seem to be the thing this holiday season, showing up in Guerlain's holiday collection, and now Givenchy's. Les Perles is all about "iridescent reflections, soft tones and a radiant colour universe that explores the evocative elegance of grey and the feminine sensuality of pink." As a big fan of pearls myself (I like to layer strands of different shades from Honora along with my graduation

Illamasqua: A Feast for Your Eyes (And Your Face)

After hearing tons of buzz about Illamasqua and its arrival at select Sephora stores, I finally had the chance to sample some of the brand's wares. There are more shade selections - in every category - than you can shake a stick at, so if Illamasqua is available at your local Sephora, I strongly encourage you to get in there and check it out.What struck me most was how intense and saturated the

Hit the Red Carpet with Very Hollywood Michael Kors

You've got to hand it to Michael Kors. The man has created an empire around this concept of casual elegance, easy luxury, and the jet-setter lifestyle (is it me, or is there a jet in the background of EVERY one of his ad campaigns?).

Michael, the fragrance, was perfectly in line with the brand, too - casual but forward, classic with a twist (come on, we all know it smelled a little bit like good

Steals and Deals: Free Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow, Estee Lauder GWP, Origins Deluxe Samples, More

Get two deluxe samples with any order from Origins. Choose at checkout; no code required. Valid through 10/29. [Origins.com]

Get travel sizes of Hydrating Eye Cream and Instant Long-Wear Makeup Remover with any Bobbi Brown order. Use code CHROME. Valid through 10/29. [BobbiBrown.com]

More from Bobbi: Receive a free full-size Sparkle Eye Shadow in Mica with any $75 Bobbi Brown purchase at

2009 Holiday Collections: Estee Lauder Powder Compacts

First the makeup, then the solid perfumes, and now here we have the Estee Lauder powder compact collection for Holiday 2009! All are filled with either Lucidity or Re-Nutriv pressed powder, and are refillable, of course. I'm loving the Crystal Roulette and the Starlit Night. Which are your favorites?Golden Lattice - $49Golden Cobblestones - $49Jeweled Maze - Saks Fifth Avenue - $225Jeweled Tiara

Just Desserts: Laura Mercier Creme de Pistache

I swung by Neiman Marcus recently to have a sniff of a few new scents, and to try out Laura Mercier's latest bath & body collection, Creme de Pistache.

Friends, I just COULD NOT WAIT to tell you how awesome the new scent is.

I opened the jar of body creme and the sales associate immediately swept over, scooping out a dab of the product and depositing it on my arm. Within 5 seconds, I knew I

Get the Look: Carey Mulligan at the Premiere of An Education

Actress Carey Mulligan was spotted in Dior Beauty at the premiere of her new film, An Education, in NYC on October 7. If you don't know Carey, you will soon: her new film is getting raves. She's starring in the upcoming Wall Street 2. Anna Wintour loves her. And she's Shia LaBeouf's girlfriend.

Makeup artist Makky used Dior products to create a "sophisticated but fun" look for Mulligan with a

Prescriptives: 5 Things to Buy Before It's Too Late

As you may already know, it's curtains for the Prescriptives brand come January. If some of the must-haves in your personal arsenal come from Prescriptives, stock up now before it's too late! Here are a few of my favorite Prescriptives products, from the unique to the indispensable.

What are your must haves from the brand?

Custom Blend Foundation: A signature service of Prescriptives, you'll

Bobbi Brown Chrome Eye Shadows Are Living Here in Allentown

...but the restlessness was handed down
and it's getting very hard to staaaay-ay-ay-ay...

Just a little Billy Joel to go along with your beauty reading! If you thought the Bobbi Brown Metallic eye shadows packed a nice punch, you're in for a nice surprise with the new Chrome eye shadows. Available in Gold, Silver and Pewter, they're densely packed with metallic particles, and less sheer than the

2009 Holiday Collections: Guerlain Imperial Holiday

More lip glosses that are all dressed up for the holidays, this time from Guerlain. The Imperial Holiday collection is "inspired by the opulence and splendor of aristocracy." Fancy. I like it.

Also of note in this collection are two new incarnations of the iconic Meteorites in sparkly packaging, and a violet-scented powder atomizer to add a little diamond sparkle to face, body and hair. I'm

Get the Look: Lauren Conrad at the Hollywood Style Awards

Lauren Conrad presented the Style Award to celebrity stylist Britt Bardo at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style Awards on October 11, sporting black winged liquid liner and a seriously gorgeous magenta lip. I'm loving that lip color, but I'm on the fence about the eyes. Lauren's eye area looks a little washed out to me - could just be from the flash, or too much concealer/pale base shadow. What do you

New Collections: Luna Twilight

I was trying to avoid talking about this line, but now that it's everywhere, I just couldn't help myself. New Moon has not one but TWO tie-in cosmetic lines. The Luna Twilight makeup (click the photo to enlarge for a better look) was developed with the people behind DuWop, aimed at the more "mature" Twilight fans, and is being sold at Nordstrom; Volturi Twilight targets the younger set with less

Weekly Rewind, 10/19 - 10/25

This week was holiday mania! If you love the "girl porn" of big collection photos and endless lists of lip gloss descriptions, you're in for a treat over the next few weeks. It seems like every day, at least one major brand announces its holiday collection. But first, for any non-holiday content you may have missed, check out the rundown of this week's posts here at Beauty Addict:A few of my

Weekend Reads

Rediscover your favorite '90s brand this Halloween - the nail polishes still come with rings! [makeup loves me]Do your makeup brushes make you look like a furby? [Glamour Cow]More love for my favorite limited edition EL nail polish [Blogdorf Goodman]Detective Olivia Benson's many hairstyles...well, off the show, that is [Makeup and Beauty Blog]Is "luxury shame" holding you back from making that

2009 Holiday Collections: Estee Lauder Solid Perfumes

Estee Lauder's limited edition solid perfumes are some of my favorite holiday items every year! (Click the image to enlarge and get a better look at the detail.) At least judging by the comments box, opinion seems to be split on whether they're tacky or beautiful - I have to admit that some of them are WAY too gaudy to ever end up on my dresser, but I just love admiring them. This year, I

Multiple Multiples from NARS

One of my favorite recent product finds is this must-have NARS The Multiple Coffret. Whether for home or travel, this set has you covered for blush, bronzer and highlighter.It comes with mini sizes of three of my favorite Multiple shades: Orgasm, the classic peachy-pink shimmer, South Beach, a gorgeous non-dirty bronzer, and Copacabana, possibly the most perfect silvery-beige highlighter ever

Five for Friday: Road Trip Essentials

"Girls, I'm going to Harvard!""What, like on vacay? Let's all go! ROAD TRIP!"Everyone loves a road trip, no? But when all your stuff's packed in the trunk - except for the snacks, of course - it's easy to forget about the beauty goodies that make the trip so much smoother. Check out these five essential products that always ride up front with me:Hand Sanitizer. Pick one that's alcohol-based,

2009 Holiday Collections: NARS

What's on my Christmas list this year? The NARS holiday collection! The new shadow sticks, Luxor Multiple, and that fab red nail polish just need to show up in my stocking come December 25.This is a pretty small collection, but in my opinion, there are no duds. I especially love the shadows - the Taiga duo and Monsoon join the ranks of the gorgeous green-golds we talked about last week, and

Get the Look: Ali Larter at Cirque du Soleil Opening

"Heroes" star Ali Larter walked the carpet at the opening of Cirque du Soleil's "Kooza" in Santa Monica October 16, sporting some fab makeup to go with her new deep red 'do. mark Celebrity Makeup Artist Mai Quynh created the look. I'm loving the blush shade! Looks gorgeous with Ali's hair color.Get the details on the look from Mai Quynh right here:Face“For Ali's face, I started with mark For

Delicious Seasonal Goodies at The Body Shop

I recently spotted the latest crop of new products on The Body Shop's website and just had to get in there and try them. Honestly, the pretty packaging suckered me in immediately - who could possibly resist? It's still easily recognizable as The Body Shop, but it's all dressed up!There are two new scents for Fall/Holiday - Nutmeg & Vanilla and Black Velvet Apricot, an apricot-plum blend. Both

2009 Holiday Collections: Estee Lauder Ultimate Red

Estee Lauder's 2009 holiday collection, Ultimate Red, is appropriately festive and sparkly, with smokey eyes, luxurious red lips, and soft, luminous skin.Both looks actually look a bit '80s to me, but in a good way; they're rich, bold colors. In the wrong hands, however, you could end up looking like an extra from the set of Dynasty. Deep plum eyes with red lips, and bronzey eyes with red lips?

Steals & Deals: Sephora F&F, Saks Gift Card Event, Estee Lauder GWP, More...

Follow me on Twitter to get Steals & Deals FIRST! Here's a rundown of the best deals in beauty this week:Sephora Friends & Family event runs through 11/2. Use code FF2009 to get 20% off nearly everything (excludes gift cards) at sephora.com. Check out my picks here. [Sephora.com]Estee Lauder gift with purchase ($125 value) with a $39.50 purchase at Nordstrom. Choose from 4 variations. [

How Low Can You Go? Bliss Introduces New Shower Gel, Drops Price

I've long been a fan of Bliss bath & body products, especially the Vanilla + Bergamot and Blood Orange + White Pepper scents. They're not cheap, but I was always willing to shell out for the fabulous scrubs and world-class body butters.The shower gels, though? Not so much. $24 for 8.4 oz was a little more than I was willing to pay. I'll cough up the cash for Jo Malone, but for a "fun" brand like

MAC Holiday 2009: Magic, Mirth & Mischief

Part 2 of the MAC holiday collection series brings us Magic, Mirth & Mischief, a sparkly and bubbly color story guaranteed to put you in the mind of high heels, a flirty party dress and a glass of Moet. All I have are images and descriptions right now, so I can't give you full details and reviews until I've tried everything (soon!). For now, check out the shades (click photo to enlarge) and the

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand Creams in 4 New Scents

L'Occitane's much beloved shea butter hand cream is now available in four delicious limited-edition scents. If you're a L'Occitane freak like me, it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll walk out of the store with at least one.Not to mention that you can also snap up Hand & Body Mousse cleanser and Ultra Rich Body Cream in each of these most excellent new scents.Rosebud is sweeter than your

The Girl with Kaleidoscope Eyes: Bright New Mascaras from Estee Lauder

When I think of brightly colored mascaras, Estee Lauder isn't exactly the first brand that comes to mind. Nevertheless, EL has launched a limited run of Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in five jewel-tone shades.Sumptuous Color is available in Amber, Amethyst, Garnet, Emerald, and Sapphire. Golden bronze Amber is definitely the tamest, while Emerald is probably the boldest.So of course, I

MAC Holiday 2009: Baroque Boudoir

Holiday makeup collections are starting to roll in! I know I already said it in the Bath & Body Works post, but it just feels so early, doesn't it? It's not even Halloween! Nevertheless, here are the details on one of MAC's holiday collections, Baroque Boudoir. Three lipsticks, three lipglasses, and two sheer pressed powders, all in absolutely gorgeous ornate packaging. There's also a matching

Sephora Friends & Family Starts Today!

Sephora's Friends & Family event starts today and runs through 11/2! With code FF2009, you'll save 20% on pretty much all your online purchases (gift cards are excluded). This is the perfect time to start your holiday gift buys, splurge on something that would otherwise never be discounted, or stock up on old favorites. Check out my 9 recommendations to make the most of that discount code! What's

Bath & Body Works Holiday Sneak Peek

Can you believe that holiday products are hitting the shelves already? We haven't even passed Halloween!Nevertheless, your favorites brands and stores are starting to roll out their holiday offerings, and as usual, Bath & Body Works is right up there. New scents, new packaging, new gifts, along with the return of some favorites from years past. Check out a few highlights below:In the home

Weekly Rewind, 10/12 - 10/18

I can't believe it's Sunday already! While you're relishing the last few hours of the weekend, check out the roundup of this week's posts. And while you're at it, why not follow me on Twitter? I've been tweeting lots of great steals & deals and product finds - don't miss out!Check out the miraculous hair product that's given me that elusive shampoo ad hair.A roundup of truly fabulous deep green

Carrie Bradshaw Gets a Fragrance: SJP NYC

Sex and the City 2 is getting a tie-in perfume.The new fragrance, SJP NYC, will fly the Sarah Jessica Parker flag, like Lovely and Covet, but it has Carrie Bradshaw written all over it. Says Parker, "A large part of the inspiration was what I now understand to be people’s impressions of seeing Carrie Bradshaw walk down the street and what feelings that evokes for her and for them — a real sense

Win a Trip to Hawaii from Sephora & Leslie Blodgett!

Bare Escentuals mastermind Leslie Blodgett is venturing into the world of scent with the Leslie Blodgett Perfume Diaries, a limited edition collection inspired by pivotal moments in her life. In celebration of the launch of her first, Bare Skin, Sephora is giving away a TRIP TO HAWAII and a $2000 Bare Skin goodie basket!Now, I'll be honest with you. While I absolutely love the concept of

Five for Friday: Arrive in Style

Nearly four years ago, I penned a post on the products essential to surviving air travel. Ah, how times have changed! The TSA liquids guidelines have made it quite a bit difficult to travel with our creature comforts, so you may no longer have the luxury of fitting a hand cream AND a face cream in your little baggie - the horror!But even in our over-regulated world, there are still occasions when

Return of the Rouge

Maybe I'm inspired by the colors of the changing leaves, or maybe it's just the Mad Men mania that's sweeping the nation, but I'm about to recommend red blush -- a modern equivalent of that classic beauty staple, rouge.Shiseido Accentuating Color Stick in S4 Rouge Flush is an easy-to-work-with stick in a somewhat intimidating hue. I mean, it's red. In these days of peachy-pink Orgasm and

New From Bath & Body Works: Twilight Woods

Last week we talked about some new goodies in store at Bath & Body Works, and I left you hanging with no deets on the latest scent, Twilight Woods. Well, I finally picked up the $1 teaser body lotion and can give you the full rundown.Twilight Woods is similar in style to Japanese Cherry Blossom, but more woodsy, with some of the floralcy removed. It's still sweet, though (you didn't expect

Move Over, Creme de Coco

Remember my near-religious devotion to Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Masque? Well, I'm still one of the faithful, but Creme de Coco is now sharing shower space with another Bb conditioner.Bumble and bumble Deeep has joined the lofty ranks of my holy grail hair products. I was picking up a fresh tube of Creme de Coco one day when I spotted a mini-tube of Deeep sitting next to it. I took it with

Green For Faith and Hope, and Gold for Charity

The post title's for all my high school friends - it's a line from our school song (probably the only one I remember)! I thought of it when I saw the influx of green, gold, and generally forest-y eye colors that have piled up in my beauty closet this season. Hunter, olive, amber, black gold - all these colors are perfect for creating a dark, mysterious, green-tinged eye, which is very much of the

The Elixir of Life...For Your Hair, That Is

Girls, for the first time in my life, I have achieved shampoo-commercial hair.You know, that impossibly shiny, lustrous hair that has enviable bounce and movement? I always thought it was a myth, created by lighting and post-production. I thought any product that could create such shine would weigh down the hair and thusly negate all the aforementioned bounce and movement.Not so, my friends. I

Five for Friday: Hang on to Summer

Still not ready to give in to fall weather? Whisk yourself back to a balmy day at the beach and make summer last just a little bit longer, with these five fab products:1. Product Body Crush on You in Beach House. Crush on You has been one of my favorite body scrubs for years (read this to find out why), and now in this delicious, beachy scent, it's even better. Tropical fruit and coconut mix to

About the FTC's Blogger Ruling

As many of you probably know, this week the FTC published guidelines for bloggers and celebrities regarding endorsements and payments. To make a long story short, the reviews posted in this space are considered endorsements by the FTC, and as such, I'm now required to disclose when any consideration (monetary, or payment-in-kind, aka samples) was received.If the FTC investigates and determines

VS Secret Moments...Shhh, Still a Secret

I've posted a couple of tirades in the past about the declining quality, and increasing juvenility, of Victoria's Secret bath and body items. I detested the new PINK line and could do without Beauty Rush, while old favorites seemed to be disappearing.But a couple of weeks ago I strolled into a Victoria's Secret store and was pleasantly surprised by an entire table of new beauty goodies that I

Six Deep, Delicious Fall Nail Colors

You know Fall has truly arrived when you find yourself tired of your Ballet Slippers mani, instead craving something dark and rich. It happened to me this week, and I started digging around for some shades that would satisfy this nail lacquer lust. Here, six winners:1. Estee Lauder Pure Color in Black Amethyst Don't be fooled by the kiddie-looking grape hue of the bottle! This deep purple shade

CLEAN Hair Fragrance & Friends

Honestly, I've never been a huge fan of CLEAN perfume; I like the idea of the "just out of the shower" smell, but there's something sharp in the opening of the fragrance that I just couldn't stomach. (I do like to keep some around to spray on my linens, though.)However, the ancillary products that carry the CLEAN name are fabulous. In particular, the Shampoo Fresh Hair Fragrance is a must-have;

Lava Rocks Redux: MAC Volcanic Ash Exfoliator Returns

Last summer I fell head over heels in love with a MAC face scrub, the Volcanic Ash Exfoliator. Unfortunately, it disappeared from stores in a flash, leaving beauty junkies everywhere to wonder - will we ever see the likes of this again?Once I finally finished tearing my hair out, rending my garments, throwing myself on the floor in agony -- you get the idea -- this miracle exfoliator reappeared!

The Bath & Body Works Report

Longtime readers know that I occasionally become obsessed with Bath & Body Works. This usually occurs when I'm rebounding from higher-priced brands like Jo Malone, and presents itself as follows: I buy too much, I cannot stay off the website, I cannot stay out of the store, and sometimes I even visit multiple locations, lest the salespeople at my usual store think that I am a stalker freak.Fact:

Don't You Get Fresh With Me

Yep, that post title's a song lyric. Know what it's from?I don't know about you, but ALL SUMMER LONG I saw ads for Vaseline's new Aloe Fresh line. Something about the light green packaging just looked so refreshing and appealing.I was dying to try the Aloe Fresh Moisturizing Daily Body Gel, since I'm a sucker for body moisturizers in non-lotion form (PS, try the spray one from ModelCo!), but in

L'Oreal Sublime Bronze: A New Everyday Favorite

I may have gone away for a while over the summer, but my self-tanner obsession continued at full blast. And I've found one that's become quite the staple in my beauty closet.L'Oreal has marketed several formulations of self-tanner over the years, under the Sublime Glow and Sublime Bronze names. The one we're talking about today is the Sublime Bronze Luminous Self-Tanning Lotion. You'll recognize

Venus Malibu Disposables: A Little Something Extra, Don'tcha Think?

When I came home from my big summer trip, I left a few essentials at the boy's house for next time -- including my razor. But upon returning home, I realized that I'd thrown out all my "spares" during the Great House Purge of 2009. But leg stubble was looming! What to do?To tide me over, I picked up a 3-pack of Gillette Venus Malibu disposables. I bought them because they were a pretty orange

Foundation Sensation: MAC Face & Body

Hello out there! Last time we talked, I was gushing over my one-of-a-kind foundation creation, that perfect combination of foundation, SPF 15 moisturizer, and golden luminizer. I was so in love!And then I went away for the summer - to HAWAII, my dears, so NO WONDER I wasn't writing - and used the whole precious bottle up.Upon my return home to rainy, chilly New York, I snooped around my beauty

Mess(age) in a Bottle

Hot, sticky summer weather most certainly calls for a super-lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer. I had run out of my beloved DuWop Revolotion Face, but couldn't find a suitable alternative in my beauty closet, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. (A serious bout of insomnia helped, too.)I began with a bottle of Estee Lauder Resilience Lift Extreme Ultra Firming Makeup SPF 15

Small Victories...at Walgreens

Well hello my dears! I don't know about you, but for me, July has been an absolutely crazy month. I've been so busy with work that the most exciting development in my non-work life has been the opening of a brand-spankin-new Walgreens (WITH A PARKING LOT!) in my neighborhood.For real. This is what gets me going these days.But of course, there was a beauty discovery to be had there, in the form of

Out, Damned Spot: The Battle of the Freckle

Can we talk about freckles for a sec, my dears?Seems that these little tan speckles have an uncanny ability to stir up debate. Some love 'em, saying they're quirky, cute, and youthful, while some hate 'em -- the whole "red hair and freckles" stereotype is one that's always made me cringe. Thanks a lot, Pippi Longstocking.And for those who actually possess freckles, the debate is often this: cover

Two More Fab Compacts from Laura Mercier

Last week we looked at the lovely Eye Mosaic in Mediterranean Sea, and I just can't resist showing off two other LM compacts - check out these beauties!First is the Illuminating Powder in Moroccan Bronze; I'm loving the four blocks of color and the gorgeous stamped design. Works as an illuminator on medium to dark skin tones, and a subtle allover bronzer for fair skin. It looks matte in the photo

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil for Commitment-Phobes

If you've been curious about Shu Uemura's famed Cleansing Beauty Oils, but have been unwilling to fork over the $32-72 required to get your hands on a bottle, look no further. Sephora is now stocking mini sizes of the #1 selling Skin Purifier Premium A/O Cleansing Beauty Oil, for the far more palatable price tag of $12.I'd been hemming and hawing over these cleansing oils for quite some time;

Get Your Swag On! I Mean, Your Glow

Please indulge me this ridiculous post title, I've been hearing these hilarious stories about the Soulja Boy hotline and had to work it in somehow. Apparently, if you dial the hotline, Soulja Boy will call YOU in the morning with a wake-up message, exhorting you to "jump on up and get yo swag on!"Anyhow, I'm here to exhort you to jump up and get your glow on! Tarte Infinite Glow takes a concept

Teal for the Timid: Laura Mercier Eye Mosaic in Mediterranean Sea

If you loved the look of the Urban Decay Get Baked palette but are looking for something a bit more subtle and subdued, check out the Laura Mercier Eye Mosaic in Mediterranean Sea.I spotted this quad compact yesterday and seriously considered taking it home (I already have WAY too many champagne, teal and dark blue shadows to justify it, but still, it was close).Mediterranean Sea packs four

Get Carried Away in a (Stila) Ocean Current!

Last holiday season I raved about a new lip gloss from Bare Escentuals; it was the Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Ruby. Rather than cook up a whole new batch of flowery adjectives to tell you about it, here's what I wrote last time:"It's a gorgeous ruby shade, red with the edge taken off, all the juicy saturation of a berry but with none of the severe brightness. Whatever you want to call it,

Technical Difficulties!!

Hi friends! Wanted to let you know I haven't disappeared - I've been having MAJOR computer issues all week so haven't been able to post. In fact, this entry is coming to you from my Blackberry! As soon as things are up and running again, I'll be back to regular posting. Have a great holiday weekend!

Darphin Lip Balm: That Spa Smell, This Time for Your Lips

Like Laura Geller, Darphin is a brand I've known of for quite some time, but never got around to trying. My introduction to the line was the Age-Defying Lip Balm, which combats dryness and the appearance of vertical lip lines thanks to a blend of peptides, rosemary and sunflower oils, kokum and mango butter, and argan oil.At $40, it is by far the most expensive lip balm I've ever used. I'm not

Preserve Your Vacation Hair with Redken Blonde Glam

What you see at left is the effect of the Hawaiian sun on my hair.Just a couple of weeks of playing outside kept my highlights fresh, turning the blondest pieces even blonder, and making me look like I just stepped out of the salon, even though the highlights were already almost two months old. It brought out depth and layers in the highlights that I hadn't seen since they were truly fresh (my

Get Baked with Urban Decay

Friends, I am on SUCH an Urban Decay kick lately! (Check out this recent post, and this one, and this one.)My latest obsession is the Get Baked Palette ($28). First off, the palette itself is adorable, with a brown floral, '60s mod cover and an aqua interior.Inside you'll find four shimmer-packed shadows, a fabulous 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, and a mini Primer Potion in Sin.The shadows work really

Red Alert: The Return of the Clear Red Lip

A while back I wrote a post on the best lip products to help you achieve that gorgeous "clear red" lip - sheer and light, but juicy and saturated. Well, it's time to add another product to the list: MAC See Thru Lip Color in Secret Crush.See Thru Lip Color is a gel-based stain that goes on sheer and builds easily for more depth of color. Unlike many other stains, it's not drying at all.Secret

Office Romance: Michael Kors Mini Leg Shine

One of my favorite quick fixes for pale, dry legs is Michael Kors Leg Shine (in fact, I think this marks the fourth time I've written about it!). This solid, shimmery bronze stick allows for hands-free application, and adds just a touch of sheer color and shine to legs.And of course, it's scented with the delicious sandy tuberose goodness of Michael Kors. On hot summer nights, that's all the

Laura Geller Bakes Up a Flawless Complexion

I've been familiar with the Laura Geller line for quite some time, but never really had the chance to play with any of the products (other than on my Sephora missions). I finally took the plunge with Balance-n-Brighten, a baked powder created to even out your skin tone.Balance-n-Brighten comes in two shades, Fair and Medium. Fair is swirled with soft tan, beige and ivory, while the Medium is

Weekly Rewind, 6/14 - 6/21

Find out which new MAC polish is perfect for creating a luxe Palm Beach mani...with a few caveats. A long-lost LORAC blush/bronzer emerges from the depths of the beauty closet! Nine ways to get smooth, shimmery skin this summer. Check out MAC's latest collection, Style Warrior. Skinsheens are BACK! Estee Lauder releases three limited-edition Pleasures flankers for the summer. Eight truly awesome

Vacation Essentials: Hawaii

In the spirit of my past Summer Essentials posts (check out this one and this one), here are a few of my must-haves from my recent Hawaiian escapades. It's such a laid-back place, so I packed light and focused on multi-tasking products, with a few standouts thrown in for some extra pop.1. Bumble and bumble Creme de Coco Masque ($26) Can't go anywhere without my favorite hair product! This proved

Would You Risk Your Eye Color For Longer Lashes?

Last year we talked about an upcoming drug from Allergan that promised to stimulate eyelash growth, giving you "longer, fuller darker" lashes, but with some pretty scary potential side effects. At the time, 80% of you said you'd skip it.Well, that product - called Latisse - is now on the market, and I'm sure that by now you've seen the commercial with Brooke Shields, posted above.The results look

Fragrance Nostalgia at the Gap: Heaven and Dream are Back!

Earlier this week I was at a half-day meeting that thankfully ended with cocktails (woo!). But standing around with a glass of wine for two hours KILLED my feet, friends. My penchant for towering heels had taken its toll in the worst way. Damn you, Christian Louboutin.Having departed the cocktail party, I realized I wouldn't even be able to make it out of the building without collapsing from the

Pretty in Pink: 12 Gorgeous Glosses

There's nothing like a great pink lippie to add a fresh pop of color to your summer look! I have a major soft spot for pink glosses; in fact, as I was going through my collection to write this post, it was difficult to narrow it down to 12. Check out my favorite pink lip glosses below, ranging from cotton candy to deep raspberry, in shimmer, cream, and plumping versions. What are your favorite

Not the Holy Grail, But Close: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil

I know I've mentioned this before, so forgive the ranting, but I have a problem with lip pencils.My slightly asymmetrical mouth and "soft" lip line pretty much demand the use of a pencil when I'm trying to achieve a polished, finished lip look, so I know I'm stuck with 'em. But, most of the shades marketed as "nude" or "natural" are nothing of the sort on my lips; they just end up looking orange

Cheap Thrills: 8 Drugstore Beauty Bargains

Wallet feeling the strain these days? Check out some of my favorite drugstore beauty bargains, most for $10 and under:1. Vaseline Cocoa Butter Vitalizing Gel Body Oil ($7.49) is an amazing body moisturizer, and smells deliciously of cocoa butter and almond. In the winter, it's perfect for combating super dry skin, and for hot summer nights, it adds a rather fetching sheen to legs and shoulders.2

Estee Lauder Makes a Splash: 3 New Pleasures Flankers

This summer, Estee Lauder deconstructs the iconic Pleasures and introduces three splashes built around various notes of the original. Baie Rose Peony, Sandalwood Amber and Jasmine Violet come in massive 8.1 oz splash/spray bottles (think Marc Jacobs splash), as well as utterly cute floral box packaging.I've been test-driving Jasmine Violet ($52) and have been pretty impressed with the staying

New Collection: MAC Style Warrior

Whoa. MAC Style Warrior is quite the comprehensive collection, isn't it? We've already talked about a couple of items in this collection (Solar Riche bronzer and Peaceable nail lacquer), so let's take a look at the rest of the goodies up for grabs in this limited edition collection. Click the image above to enlarge and get a better look at everything.The five eyeshadows range from neutral to

Nine Ways to Shine On This Summer

Looking for some pixie dust in your life? Now that summer is upon us, top up that tan with a little nighttime shimmer. Check out these nine standout products in varying formulations, shimmer levels, scents, and price points. I've focused on neutral/colorless shimmers for this piece, but if you're on the hunt for a body bronzer, look no further than this post from last summer, with all the deets

From the Depths of the Beauty Closet: LORAC Blush/Bronzer Duo

As you might imagine, I have quite the stash of beauty stuff. And more often than I'd like, things get lost, buried, accidentally tossed, given away...you get the idea.I thought I had long lost this excellent blush/bronzer duo from LORAC, but on a cleaning binge two weekends ago, lo and behold...there it was, stuck in the very back of a drawer. Score!I bought this Blush/Bronzer Duo in Hot Flash

The Palm Beach Mani: MAC Peaceable

Rock a retro Palm Beach vacation look this summer with this nail polish from MAC. Peaceable is a pearly, frosty pale golden beige, and is best paired with a tan, a bikini with fierce gold hardware (like this one), and a ridiculous beach caftan (like this one).Just watch it, though, ok? Because this particular polish, if styled incorrectly, puts you in serious danger of looking too much like a

Weekly Rewind, 6/7 - 6/13

What a week! It feels so good to be back, friends.Check out the slightly cryptic comeback post, and then find out what's been going on with me the last couple of months.Fill your shower with that expensive spa smell, thanks to this fab body scrub from Erno Laszlo.Find out which bronzer earns my "safe for pale people" seal of approval.Check out this week's Steals and Deals, including big savings

New Collection: MAC Naked Honey

MAC's Naked Honey collection is on counters this month, and while it's a small collection, I'm really loving the wearable, shimmery shades and the sweetly scented body goodies.All three Lipglasses (She's a Star, Queen Bee, Buzz) are easily wearable and look like a summer sunset. Love! My pick is the sheer pale gold She's a Star, perfect for layering over other colors for a shiny pop of gold, or

Put Your Faith in a Potion...Or Just Buy Insurance?

We've talked many times about how Urban Decay Primer Potion is a life-changing, amazing, must-have product. I mean come on, the elimination of eyeshadow creasing and migration is MAJOR, no?But the packaging of this little miracle is a royal pain. Think your tube is empty? Not so! (Check out this post for the background.)I was getting a little tired of scraping the extra UDPP from the stupid

Secret Sauce: Summer by Kenzo Dry Oil

Friends, something new has entered the pantheon of Scents Men Love. Remember the cop-attracting Marc Jacobs Cucumber? Or the one from Bond No. 9 that drew comments from strangers...during a date?Well, now there's a new entry in this special little category. Meet Summer by Kenzo Dry Oil.I blogged about wanting it a few months ago during Kenzo's Friends & Family event, and I was NOT disappointed,

Tiny Treats: VS Mini Hand Sanitizers

Longtime readers will know that I have a major weakness for hand sanitizers (the alcohol-based ones, I should note, not the triclosan-based ones that supposedly contribute to the development of superbugs).Anyhow, yeah, obsessed. Especially with hand sanitizers that smell nice and come in wee little bottles that I can throw in all my purses and stash all around the house and office.Last year I

Steals & Deals: 25% Off All Bobbi Brown, 20% Off Waterproof Tarte, 20% Off Bath & Body Works, More

Get 25% off your entire order at Bobbi Brown! Enter code SUMMER1 at checkout. This is the last day, so don't wait.20% off Waterproof Wonders from Tarte Cosmetics, including mascara and lash and lip stains. Enter code WATER20 at checkout. Expires 6/30.20% off purchases $25+ at Bath & Body Works - online and in store. Enter code 9656 at checkout. Good through 6/14.Last day for a fab 11-pc gift with

Bronzer for Pale People: MAC Solar Riche

When I first popped open my MAC Solar Riche Bronzing Powder and swept some across my cheeks, I had a curious feeling of deja vu. Was it the name? The packaging? The idea that I may just have tried too many bronzers and they all look the same now?Turns out it was, indeed, the name. Solar Field was part of last summer's Solar Field collection, but was packaged in that shiny bright orange case that

Tweet Tweet: Steals & Deals on Twitter

One of the features I personally missed most during my hiatus was the Weekly Steals & Deals -- it seemed the worse the economy got, the better the deals!While I work my way back up to full-time status here, I've decided to give Twitter a try for updating you on the latest discounts, codes and freebies (and other random tidbits, as well). My inbox has been full of great deals lately and I'm

That Spa Smell: Erno Laszlo Gentle Body Exfoliator

The spa smell. You know it? It's that somewhat undefinable mixture of cucumber, citrus, and vague aromatherapy-like notes that you can't quite put your finger on, but the first word that comes to mind is always "spa."(Secret: Sometimes, the second term that comes to mind when I get a whiff of this scent is "rich people." Don't ask.)I'm a major sucker for beauty products with the spa smell (not

What's Going On

Anybody out there?I know, I know. I've been fully gone for over two months. I just spent a good half hour reading all the comments on my last (April) post, and while some of them were rather nasty - and yep, I deserved it - it seemed that the general sentiment was one of concern. Lots of "Are you OK?" (One reader even asked if I died!)First of all, THANK YOU to those who were so supportive and

Nobody Ever Goes In...And Nobody Ever Comes Out!

"...Finally Mr. Wonka shouted, "I shall be ruined! Close the factory!" And that's just what he did. He locked the gates and vanished completely. And then suddenly, about three years later, the most amazing thing happened. The factory started working again, full blast! And more delicious candies were coming out than ever before."Stay tuned...

Not So Supreme Head

A while back I alluded to a disappointing experience with some otherwise promising Sally Hershberger shampoo. The product in question is Supreme Head shampoo for normal to thin hair. I really, really wanted to love it, but alas, Sally and I were not meant to be.I was instantly drawn in by the pretty pink bottle with the gold writing, and the shampoo smelled deliciously of iced tea, which I

Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Pedi Pistol

Have you seen the commercials for the Pedi Pistol? This new pedicure tool looks to be from the same maker as the legendary Ped Egg. With five attachments for filing, buffing, smoothing, and the like, the Pistol seems like any other motorized pedicure tool.But its extra long handle makes the Pistol look like something you'd find at Home Depot. Seriously, are we going to start using Dremel tools on

Short and to the Point: Estee Lauder Duo-Tone Eye Pencil

Short and to the point. Literally. Estee Lauder's summer eyeliner offering, the Duo-Tone Eye Pencil in Aqua Teal, gives you just enough bright color to make your summer look pop.Just enough, because you only get half a stick of each shade.Why is this so smart? Well, when was the last time you actually ran out of an eyeliner that was any color besides brown or black? (OK, maybe navy and charcoal,

Hair by Amtrak

So, in the meantime, while I've been away from you, I finally achieved something I'd been after for quite some time: perfect, sideswept, Nicole Richie-esque bangs.And the technique I used to get them was, well, rather low-tech.See, I have a cowlick at my hairline that usually prevents me from getting that sideswept look without a whole lot of hair product. Instead of the soft sweep, I end up with

So Now You're Back, From Outer Space

I know, I know. No posts in a month.You know how they say bad things always come in threes? Well, first we had my dad's cancer, then my parents' house got robbed, and then...the third bad thing happened. This one was personal and upsetting, left me feeling rather unbeautiful, and took a while to get over. You know, one of those things that leaves you stranded on the couch for weeks on end, caring

Worst of Oscar Beauty!

It's a pretty good sign, overall, that I had a Top 10 Best for Oscar beauty, and only four in the bad category. Here goes:Reese Witherspoon: Oh dear. Dark blue eyeshadow is one of my all-time favorites, but it can go wrong far too easily. It looks odd with Reese's eye color, it's too matchy-matchy with the dress, and the peach lip color just ruins the whole thing. Click on the pic to enlarge and

Best of Oscar Beauty!

OK, Oscar beauty roundup, FINALLY! Woo! In no particular order, here are my Top 10 Oscar Beauties. And of course, Worst of Oscar Beauty is coming up next.Freida Pinto - Just flawless. I don't think this is Freida's home planet, she seriously must be an alien from somewhere prettier. Nothin' else to say. Robin Wright Penn - She'll always be Princess Buttercup to me, and she always exudes this

Victoria Jackson, Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Hi, lovelies! I decided that my "comeback post" couldn't just be any old product review or collection news (although I do feel the need to spill a couple tidbits, like Sally Hershberger shampoo is crap, and Clinique lip gloss in Honey Shimmer is amazing).And it couldn't be a run-of-the-mill Grammy beauty roundup (although I will say three things: Sheryl Crow and Jennifer Hudson looked

Can't Catch a Break

There's probably not going to be a SAG awards recap this year, my dears (nevermind my unfinished Golden Globes coverage).My parents' house was robbed tonight. ALL of my mother's jewelry - including her engagement ring and several irreplaceable antiques - gone. Their passports. All the baby jewelry given to me as a child. The burglars ripped a hotel safe right out of the closet floorboards and

Golden Globes Beauty...

...is coming your way tomorrow.My early favorite? Kate Winslet. Hair, makeup, skin -- all flawless.Also loved Cameron Diaz's coral lip.HATED Drew Barrymore's hair. She was going for Marilyn Monroe, but all I could think of was "Fat Elvis Marilyn," i.e., channeling the star when she was past her prime. Hmmm.