spring fever

It doesn't take much to look good this spring. But you do need a good line of basic makeup products to start with. Lavera delivers with good-for-you ingredients like organic oils and flower extracts for a natural makeup look and feel this season.

The European beauty brand trades in harmful synthetics like parabens, emulsifiers, petroleum, phthalates, lead, synthetic preservatives and fragrances for natural, effective plant-based alternatives that arecertified organic whenever possible. Every cruelty-free, biodegradable product represents a smart, gentle choice for the skin, body and earth.

Luxe Lashes: Whether you're at an indoor business meeting or an outdoor happy hour, you need this mascara. Lavera's Double Black Mascara ($20), made with organic beeswax and oil, includes a precision brush on one end to lengthen, strengthen and separate for ultimate impact, and a volume brush on the other end to create a breathtakingly full fan of lashes and holds lashes in place.

Lip Shtick: Give lips a lift with this formula that's sure to dazzle. Lavera's Glossy Lips ($15), formulated with carefully selected, high-quality olive and jojoba oils as well as a soothing, pampering vitamins and minerals, is a must-have accessory. After just one swipe across each lips, you'll see a soft, healthy pout and a touch of seductive shimmer that really sparkles day or night. Available Shades: Shining Star, Rosy Promise, Magic Red, Almond Kiss.

Skin Is In: Illuminate your skin with this super-smooth, all-natural foundation. Lavera's Natural Liquid Foundation ($20) is a hydrating foundation that blends easily and hides imperfections. Free-radical fighting argan oil, organic blossom butter and vitamins A, C and E protect, rejuvenate and nourish skin. Available Shades: Porcelain, Ivory, Honey, Almond.

For more info or to purchase products, go to www.lavera.com.

'70s style

From the catwalk to the sidewalk, spring 2011 is all about 70’s.

Prints and vibrant fabrics sashayed down the runway at Marc Jacobs and Gucci, Coach is re-launching their iconic 70’s bag exclusively with Net-a-Porter, and Hollywood's leading ladies such as Nicole Richie, AnnaLynne McCord and Kristen Bell are sporting the laid-back style.

For me, the seventies was all about bell-bottoms, Charlie's Angels, winged-hair and roller skating parties. But I also remember the makeup--frosted lips and shimmery eye shadow, to be specific. Urban Decay brings back that '70's glamour with its Urban Decay Rollergirl Eyeshadow Palette ($32) that's sure to bring out your inner disco diva.

The Rollergirl Eyeshadow Palette contains three neutral shadows: verve (beige), suspect (gold) and darkhorse (khaki) and one pop of bright pink, called woodstock, to create shimmering neutral looks with an easy-to-add hit of color for the ultimate disco glow. It comes with one 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey (a medium shade of brown) that really does glide on and a mini tube of Lip Junkie Lip Gloss in a hot pink hue (it's more wearable than it sounds as it goes on less bold and it cools and plumps your lips in the process).

Available at Sephora, ULTA, Macy’s, Sephora.com, Beauty.com, ULTA.com and UrbanDecay.com

every day is mother's day: give her roses

Mother's Day may be behind us but moms still appreciate a little extra pampering every now and then. Lavera comes through with its Wild Rose Cleansing Milk ($18), a soothing cleanser that gently removes makeup, leaving skin feeling refreshed and youthful. Use it morning and night to cleanse and refresh. Another great indulgence: Wild Rose Moisturizing Day Creme ($25), a light, nourishing creme that gives dry, mature skin a radiant, healthy glow to dry plus lasting hydration. Once her skin is in great shape, she'll want to show it off. Treat her to Lavera's great makeup products. Try the super smooth (and fruity!) lipgloss, the long-lasting, columizing mascara and transparent Loose Powder in a convenient shaker tub. All available at select Target stores nationwide and www.lavera.com.

expert advice: get a gorgeous spring makeup look from Sarah Lucero of Stila

The Fall 2010 NY Fashion Week shows may have just wrapped up but new spring beauty products and makeup tips are on everyone's lips...literally! The brains behind the beauty at shows like Betsey Johnson and Lela Rose, among others, Stila makeup will definitely make an impact this season. Sarah Lucero, Stila’s Pro Artist, shares her spring 2010 beauty tips.

“The spring beauty looks have color and vivid shades on the eyes and lips. Lipstick is making a huge comeback; we are using bold bright shades that leave a matte finish. Reds, Hot Pinks, and Bold Orange are seen at many shows and have created a beautiful trend. Keep the skin smooth and dewy, as this will allow bold eyes and lips to stand out and look modern. If you over-apply foundation, it will take away the youthful glow and you will look like you have on too much makeup. Try using a tinted moisturizer with illumination in it – Stila has Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer and almost all skin tones and types can wear either shade 1 or shade 2. it just brightens up your skin and adds hydration to dull skin. Cheeks have a pink flush and you can achieve this by using a gel cheek and lip stain such as Stila Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain. It will last all day and give you that youthful flush we all want that! Think fun color, vivid hues, and a beautiful glow and sheen on the skin.”

Test drive these beautiful Stila products yourself to get a fresh new look for spring. Stila One Step Makeup ($44) is my favorite. The four-in-one primer, foundation, concealer and powder blend flawlessly into your skin and feels luxurious on. This, from someone who is not a foundation fan. But any product that can conceal my lack of sleep is more than OK in my book! The Stila Jewel Luxe Lip Glaze Trio ($34) is another winner--three glosses that glide on gorgeously and leave a trial of sequin-y reflections on lips. They all contain Stila's Exclusive Gem Complex, which contains diamond, emerald, jade, ruby, moonstone, rose quartz, sapphire, topaz, amethyst, amber, garnet, mother of pearl, and opal. The amethyst shade looks dark in the tube but brushes on with just the right dose of color and moisturizes while it softens. The Stila Jewel Eye Shadow Palette ($32) offers four glittery shades that leave you sparkling. They feel creamy on so they're easily blendable and will last all day. Personally, I'd rather sparkle at night but they do that too. Stila's Black Diamond Mascara ($24) is very cool. I tried the black with silver shimmer--it lengthens lashes and leaves them looking like you've just come in out of a gentle snow flurry. All are available at www.stilacosmetics.com.

vday beauty: get a sweet makeup look with Josie Maran makeup

Ready for date night? Not so fast. Refresh your makeup regimen with these pretty products from beauty expert Josie Maran. They're perfect for Valentine's Day and beyond...

On eyes: Sweep easy-to-blend, long wearing velvety eye shadow ($20) in Valentine (light pink shimmer) over lids and Chianti (muted red plum shimmer) in the crease for a romantic approach to smoky eyes. Other pretty shades include Sweetheart (cream shimmer), Sweet-Talk (cream nude shimmer) and Beach (ivory beige shimmer). For an edgier effect, try Pewter (silver shimmer) or Embrace (soft copper shimmer) all over the lid. They're all available in a beautiful biodegradable case (made of corn plastic!).

On cheeks: Add a touch of Cream Blush ($22) in Sunset (coral) to give cheeks a pretty flush. It's a lightweight, natural shade that blends flawlessly into your skin and gives you just the right amount of color you need.

On lips: Try Lip Gloss (now $10!) in Authentic (a coral pink shimmer). The non-sticky formula with organic Argan oil gives you natural-looking color with sophisticated shine (no glossy goop to deal with). The brush applicator makes it easy to apply and smooths the product evenly across your lips.

After the party: Come clean with Josie Maran Bear Naked Wipes ($6-$12). These natural cleansing cloths are biodegradable (meaning they won’t clog landfills after you throw them away) and they’re made with natural ingredients that will soothe, comfort, and gently cleanse your skin without harsh chemicals or toxins. (Note: They work well with Josie Maran makeup but not as well on my hard core eyeliner from another brand).

Get this look and others at www.sephora.com.