Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and those of us holding the mascara wand.

After two decades of covering the beauty industry, I've come to learn what makes it so alluring. Finding the perfect shade of makeup to match your skin tone, adding a swipe of eyeliner to give your tired eyes a lift, discovering an innovative new product line, or indulging in a totally luxurious spa treatment. My experiences have been documented in magazines, newspapers and websites worldwide. I've tested newly formulated products in the lab, explored hair removal options, shopped for lipstick, added shine to my hair and succumbed to massage marathons--all in the name of beauty. I've written press releases, hosted makeover events and co-authored a Do-It-Yourself Beauty book (Alloy). On this blog, I write about products and services that I come across every day as well as those that have been provided by publicists or the companies that make them. Either way, I write what I think. I hope to share some of my insights--and bring you the latest, greatest beauty news right here. Join me in the quest to find all things pretty.


Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Fashion Week: Classic Lips


Tough times call for tough measures--which means scaling down on your favorite makeup picks. If you can only invest in one lipstick this season--and can't see yourself falling for the recently popular pale gray lip look--make it a deep, classic color. An easy choice: Vitamin-Infused Lipstick from Tarte Cosmetics in Vinyasa (siren red) or Zen (berry). Designed to nourish, moisturize and rejuvenate lips while protecting against the environment, these Tarte lipsticks include natural ingredients from BORBA's Age-Defying, Replenishing and Clarifying lines. Good-for-you ingredients include antioxidant-rich Acai berry extract, collagen-producing beeswax, healing chamomile extract, and vitamins A, C and E. I feel its mositurizing properties as I slick it on and notice that these vibrant shades really make a statement. Finish with lipliner to create eveness and definition. It's a great investment at $22 on www.tartecosmetics.com.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Fashion Week: Rock Star Hair


Fresh on the heels of the latest Grammy's show, models at some of New York Fashion Week's hottest shows sported rock-star locks. To get yours, try Philip Kingsley's Maximizer designed to maximize volume, body and bounce. "It creates volume for limp, flyaway hair," says Kingsley. If anyone can design such a formula, Kingsley is the one. This world-renowned trichologist has been seeing clients, writing books and creating hair treatments for years. "It gives fine hair super volume, and adds body, bounce, control and shine." Got color-treated tresses? Don't hesitate to spritz some on. It's protects color too. "Just spray sparingly onto the roosts of towel-dried hair for lift or throughout hair for all-over volume, then style as usual," says Kingsley. After a recent shower, I towel dry and start spritzing. The spray pump offers easy control and the product lands at the roots, just where I want it. I follow with an all-over application to see the full effect. Like a lightweight hairspray, it offers total volume and bounce that are instantly apparent and doesn't leave hair feeling sticky. And it smells good too! Try it at www.philipkingsley.com for $35 (8 oz).