summer makeup: fresh color from Rimmel

Think summer and you think fresh colors and natural-looking skin. Thanks to Rimmel London, it's all achievable.

I've been looking for a new mascara for a long time. I love Rimmel's The Max VolumeFlash Mascara ($7.19) in black; it promises up to 14x your natural volume. I haven't checked their measurements but I can tell you this. The bright pink, easy-to-hold tube makes me almost as happy as the thick lashes it leaves me with.

I also love the Lasting Finish Blendable Blush & Highlighter ($4.99) with three natural-looking shades that are easy to blend and offer a hint of shimmer (blending brush included). And the bronzer fan in me flipped for the Sun Shimmer Shimmering Maxi Bronzer for Face and Body ($7.99). For starters, it's oversized--so you don't have to worry about running out halfway through the season. Plus it works for face and body so you don't need two compacts taking up room on your makeup shelf. I tried Sun Queen, whcih made me look--and feel--like one.

Also available in the collection are illuminating eye shadows, reflective lip glosses and hydrating lipsticks and, of course, nail enamel in cool shades like Bare Naked, Posh Pink and Stiletto Red.

Check out your local chain drug stores and mass retailers nationwide or visit http://www.rimmellondon.com/ for store locations and to try the newest products with Rimmel’s exclusive Virtual Makeover Tool.

st. patrick's day beauty: pretty green things

A touch of green can turn a basic manicure into one that really turns heads. For St. Paddy's Day, paint your digits with Sula's Paint & Peel Polish in Fern ($9). The nature-inspired shade gives nails a fresh, clean look and pays homage to the famous shamrocks the holiday is known for. The best part: The one-of-a-kind, water-based formula lets you peel off the polish in one clean sweep--no nail polish remover required! So you can show off your Irish roots on Wednesday and go back to pristine pink the morning after. Check out this and other radiant shades at www.sulabeauty.com and celebrate in style.

vday beauty: break the rule

Red nails for Vday? Sure, if you do the Hallmark holiday the classic way. The Jessica Red Alert Manicure Kit ($24) covers all the bases, from a strengthening basecoat, to a quick drying topcoat and three amazing colors to apply in between. Choose from Royal Red (almost fire engine--will really send his heart a flutter), Shall We Dance (darker red, with a dose of gold) and Grecian Touch (a darker shade of brown, almost purply--my favorite for winter!) Packaged in convenient travel sized bottles, the kit is available at www.jessicacosmetics.com.

shimmer into the new year

Big night out on New Year's Eve? This is your big chance to ring in the new year in style and find a glamorous new look for 2010. I recently came across an amazing makeup line that I have to share: Luscious Cosmetics, created by Charity Vance of San Clemente, California. She set out to create multi-use products that with imaginative packaging that bring color, pleasure and pizzaz to a woman's life. Says Vance, "Makeup is the quickest way to transform your look. It isn't permanent—if you don't like it, try something else! It’s that simple. Life is a journey! Prepare to discover something you love. Women experience such confidence and inner peace when they feel beautiful." Feeling beautiful is a no-brainer with Luscious. The Crystal Nail Lacquers ($20), in gorgeous shades, come in bottles with custom caps that holds color coordinated Swarovski® Austrian crystals to apply to your nails for a glamourous custom look. They're surprisingly easy to apply and give you a one-of-a-kind manicure you can design yourself. The Lip Delites Lip Plumpers ($17) give lips a wash of color and a glimmer of shine, and plump lips to as much as 40% more volume after only 30 days of use. The Lip Polish ($18), in a compact package for fabulous females on the go, is a beautiful, gloss and lip treatment in one. The color looks subtle and shiny when applied and, thanks to super-emollient ingredients, lips feel ultra-soft and hydrated. The perfect antidote to a long, dry winter! Stash them all in the limited-edition Posh Goes on Holiday makeup bag ($28), featuring Posh, the company's cat muse who loves to travel. (The bag comes with some mini makeup too). Pick up all of these great products and more at www.lusciouscosmetics.com to ensure a very happy new year! See you again in 2010~