happy mother's day: indulge her

We all know, you can tell a lot about a gift from the box it comes in. Take your mom to The Plaza Beauty at New York City's famed Plaza Hotel and she'll get a sense there's something special about to happen the minute you walk through the front doors. Stop by on May 7th and May 8th to let mom choose her own gift or treat her to some luxe beauty treatments from brands like Kimiko, Alchimie, Smashbox, Ky Bae, JUARA, Juliette Has a Gun and Rancé Fragrance. This premier beauty retreat features tips, treatments, trunk sales and more. Find out what’s in store for the season, experience products first-hand, and indulge in beauty essentials from around the world. Go to http://www.theplazabeauty.com/ for more info.

pur thing

Trends come and go, and your product needs change as you age. Wouldn't it be great to have a collection of products that work for all situations and all stages of your life? Pür Minerals delivers with high-quality, mineral-based color cosmetics and treatment products. The products contain super-fine micronized minerals for excellent, natural-looking coverage and they don't have irritating fragrances, drying talc or oil that can clog pores.

Some of my favorites:

4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup: Great for all ages and skin types, it's a foundation, powder, concealer and sunscreen in one. The soft powder glides onto skin and blends in flawlessly so you can secretly go undercover. It has SPF 15 so it's ideal for summer and comes in a practical compact with one side for the makeup and mirror and a separate compartment for the sponge applicator.

Lip Tint SPF 15: It glides on smoothly and feels luxurious on your lips. Plus it delivers color that lasts. I tried Ruby Sunset which was a bit too deep for me at first but turned into a pretty pink after a quick blotting.

Lemon Maximum Moisture Cream: It's super rich and hydrating so it works great on dry, rough areas. Try it now before you reveal your birthday suit for summer. It also has a very subtle lemon scent that won't drive you crazy if you're wearing it all day. I smooth some on in the AM and PM and love the results.

Go to www.purminerals.com for more info and to check out the entire Pur Minerals collection.

fur real: beauty products for your fluffy friends

Why should humans have all the fun? These luxurious doggie grooming products--designed for the discerning dog--will have Fido glowing in no time. FUR products by J Mikel are ph-balanced, clean rinsing and safe to use on dogs, cats and humans too. Actually, in an ironic twist, they're made for animals and tested on humans.

What's in the formula? Powerful free-radical fighting anti-oxidants, beneficial essential fattyacids, natural sunscreens, and therapeutic essential oils. Sounds like a perfect skin care concoction if you ask me--which is not a surprise, since J Mikel spent years in the beauty industry, working with well-respected brands such as Estee Lauder’s Aveda, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. Her extensive experience with aromatherapy and perfumery has played a big role in developing her dog collection.

The line highlights two puppy-pleasing essentials: Morning Seed and Calendula Cleanser and Detangler. The cleanser is soap-free, moisturizing, has a fresh citrus floral scent and is designed to nourish your dog's coat. The detangler is a silky, leave-in conditioner that moisturizes, repels dust, detangles knots and adds shine. Plus, it works on all coat types: silky, ruff or curly.

Fans of the line include groomers, dog-loving celebrities and dog care experts--not to mention celebs like Miley Cyrus and Mariah Carey. But true dog lovers will also adore FUR's accessory collection featuring dog silhouette note cards and the FUR dog ID key ring. Along with the company logo and products, they were inspired by Zachary, J Mikel’s West Highland Terrier. So chic!

This adorable pet line can be found at top apothecaries, department stores, beauty websites and upscale dog emporiums. To view the collection, go to www.furdogsnyc.com or buy via the online shopping cart, www.shop.furdogsnyc.com. After all, nothing's too good for your pooch!

earth day: reduce.reuse.recycle. with tarte

Happy Earth Day! In honor of, well, the Earth, I wanted to share one of the best earth-friendly beauty programs around--from Tarte Cosmetics. Until now, you've probably tossed your used up makeup tubes and compacts or stashed them in the back of your bottomless makeup drawer. But Tarte has come up with a better plan. Send them your empty clean slate primer and/or smooth operator SPF 20 foundation and they'll give you 15% off of your next complexion purchase (products include: clean slate, smooth operator, pressed powder, mineral powder bronzer). Sweet deal, right? There's more. Send your empty slide tin lip balm with SPF 15 and tarte will give you 15% off of any lip product purchase. Or send your empty cheek stain and receive 15% off of your next cheek stain purchase. You can do some good for the planet while stocking up on your new spring/summer makeup essentials. Go to www.tartecosmetics.com for more info and get Earth-friendly today!

earth day: life's a beech tree

So it's supposed to protect skin from free radicals--well, it actually feels like it does. The smooth, silky cream feels nourishing and protective the minute you smooth it on. Dubbed "the natural Botox," Naturopathica Beech Tree & Ginseng Daily Moisturizer ($56) blends antioxidant rich Beech Tree and Goji Berry with a firming complex of Ginseng to form a very luxurious product. One application actually made me feel like I just got a great facial as soon as I rubbed a drop into my normal-to-dry skin. The best part: The product is ECOCERT certified and comes in a carton made from 100% recycled fibers and a bottle made from 100% post consumer PET plastic derived from diverse feedstocks of post-use recycled containers. Translation: It reduces your carbon footprint too. Pick up a bottle at www.Naturopathica.com and spas nationwide.

earth day: walking on sunshine

All I ask is, just smell it--the ginger, mandarin and lime scent simply makes you happy in just one squeeze. Not just because you're doing something great for your hair, but you're doing some good for the Earth at the same time. I'm talking about Walking on Sunshine Daily Shine Conditioner from TIGI's Love, Peace & the Planet Collection. The creamy formula has honey, jojoba oil and soy protein to add moisture and strength and leave your hair smooth and shiny. The line of nine products features natural and organic ingredients combined with a minimal amount of synthetics. And all bottles and tubes are made from 50% post-consumer recycled materials and are 100% recyclable. Also designed to revitalize your senses: Totally Beachin' Body & Waves Styling Mist in Coconut Mango Vanilla (yum!) and Free UR Mind Firm Hold Hairspray in Cherry Almond (prices range from $18.95 - 22.95). Look for them in fine salons nationwide or go to www.tigihaircare.com for more information.

brush with nature

The perfect makeup brush is hard to find. It has to handle well, apply smoothly, distribute evenly, feel soft on your skin...and it wouldn't hurt if it was eco-friendly. Priori's eco-friendly, cruelty-free brushes rank high on my list. Their handles are made from bamboo with a stem made from recycled aluminum. The soft bristles offer anti-bacterial protection and flawless application. You won't find these essential tools in just any professional makeup brush set. But you can check them out at www.priori.com. There's the Kabuki Brush ($20), made with densely packed bristles--ideal for buffing, blending and getting into hard-to-reach areas like dark under eye circles or the bridge of the nose. There's a Concealer Brush ($25) with taklon bristles to tackle the heavy duty job of offering heavy coverage. And, my favorite, the Powder Brush ($25), designed for applying PRIORI® Finishing Touch and Sun Kissed products. It boasts shed-resistant taklon bristles for a soft, beautiful finish. I seriously have never felt a softer makeup brush on my skin. It's even said to gently massage and increase circulation to the face. TIP: Use Priori's CoffeeBerry Revitalizing Cleanser to clean them regularly so that they will stay fresh and last longer. Go to www.priori.com for more info.