thyme out

Long day? Need to unwind? Trade your traditional moisturizer for a palm full of Thymes Essentials Dry Body Oil ($18). The lightweight formula absorbs quickly into skin and the fresh scent actually reminds you to take a deep breath and relax for a few minutes. But the best thing about this oil is that it is super-hydrating, thanks to a blend of Abyssinian, jojoba, apricot kernel and evening primrose oils, plus skin-smoothing triglycerides. I used it from neck to toe and was thrilled with the results. If you're lucky enough to have someone else smooth it on you, even better. For feet that need a little extra help, try another Thymes favorite: The AHA Foot Cream gently exfoliates with an alpha hydroxy acid fruit complex while shea butter and safflower oil moisturize your skin. Get both at www.thymes.com and you'll see smooth results.

pure genius

I gave up my highlights years ago in favor of a more natural hue--my own! It wasn't until this past year that I started using single process color. So I was eager to try Pureology's new SuperSmoothcollection from Pureology Serious Colour Care, the first 100% Vegan formula andZeroSulfate^® shampoos for colour-treated hair. The products' heat protective ThermalAntiFadeComplex create a protective barrier against heat styling damage and maximize color retention. The packaging won me over immediately: the SuperSmooth Shampoo and SuperSmoothHairCondition come in lightweight bottles with long, bumpy necks so you don't have to worry about slippage. (The SuperSmooth SmoothingElixir comes in a mini-version). And the SuperSmoothRelaxingHairMasque, designed to nourish and smooth, comes in a round tub and is packaged with a mini wide-tooth comb so you can evenly distribute the product throughout your hair (it's a little small but so cute and does the trick!). They're all scented with a hint of geranium, which smells so pretty! My favorite product was probably the hair mask--it was rich and luxurious and you only have to leave it on for two to five minutes, as opposed to 10 or 15 as with other masks. After styling, I realized I forgot to use the SmoothingElixir oin my damp hair--and there were some visible frizzies!--but I smoothed some onto my my just-blow-dried locks and my hair looked smooth and neat. Get more info or find out where to buy at www.pureology.com. Or, if you're on the East or West Coast, stop by one of the company's two flagship salons: Rare by Ruth Roche/Pureology Salon in New York, NY, and Byu-ti Hair Therapy salon in Santa Monica, CA.

beauty on a budget: kiss manicures goodbye!

One Halloween, I dressed up as Barbara Streisand. I had the slightly teased-on-top tresses, the thick black eyeliner, even the microphone. But what really made the costume was my beautiful set of French manicured nails. I had a great time that night, but as I sat down to meet a writing deadline the next day, I realized I couldn't type! The nails were too long and I had to run to the nail salon to professionally have them "removed." Since then, I've stayed away from fake nails...until I tried the ones from Kiss. The Kiss Everlasting French Nails and Toes sets ($5.99 each) cost far less than a salon job and are easy to apply and remove on your own. They can be filed down to any preferred length and shape. They provide relief for nail biters by helping nails grow underneath. And they come off with pure acetone without damaging your natural nails (try the Kiss remover kit to make it even easier). Look for Kiss nails in all major drug stores nationwide or at www.kissusa.com.

beauty on a budget: welcome matte

Leave it to Orly to nail it! The innovative nail care/color company recently launched Orly Matte Couture ($7.50), a collection of matte nail lacquers guaranteed to get you through fall with flying colors. In case you haven't picked up a beauty pub yet this season, the latest nail looks are matte. Try Blue Suede (blue creme), Vinyl (black creme) and Purple Velvet (purple creme)--all are DBP-, tolulene- and formaldehyde-free. Wear them alone or over your favorite Orly base coat. Get yours at www.OrlyBeauty.com, Sally Beauty, or Ulta, among other retailers.

beauty on a budget: get suspended

Forget about the red carpet. The launch of new Vaseline Sheer Infusion ($7.99-$9.99),featured anything but. Instead of starlets stepping out into the spotlight, the company treated beauty insiders to an afternoon of trapezing to illustrate the product's suspension theory. Stylist and Just Try It On! author author Susan Redstone swung into action, trying her hands (and legs!) at the trapeze. She managed to perfect moves that even rivaled Sheer Infusion's innovative methods (see the pic for proof)! But back to beauty...Composed of ultra-moisturizing ingredients like Stratys-3, Sheer Infusion infuses and suspends moisture, providing ultimately hydrated skin that's soft and smooth, not dry or flaky. Glycerol Quat delivers optimal moisturization, staying on top of the skin to deliver moisture where it needs it most. Glycerin penetrates skin for immediate, long-lasting moisture at the core. Hydroxy Ethyl urea lures moisture to the deeper layer and keeps it there. Go to wwwww.vaseline.com for more info.

beauty on a budget: good vibrations

Ever wonder how makeup artists apply that perfectly even coat of mascara to every single one of your lashes? Maybelline's Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara ($14.95) delivers 7,000 vibrations per minute in seven synchronized actions so you get perfect lashes every time. The battery-powered mascara features a vibrating elastomer brush which gently pulsates against lashes, mimicking pro makeup artists' zig zag technique. How it works: Apply one, two or several coats of the exclusive formula, featuring thickening agents, emollient waxes and film formers. The Pulse Perfection vibrating brush uncrosses individual lashes for perfect separation and definition. Just push the button, and hold the wand steady as you slowly coat eye lashes, root to tip. What you get: Luscious thickness, luxurious length, smooth separation, intense color, shapely curve, healthy luster and clump-free lashes. Look for the sleek black and gold packaging at mass market retailers nationwide. Choose from Very Black and Blackest Black, or Very Black in a waterproof formula. The catch: Batteries are required. The battery lasts a minimum of 130 applications so if you apply mascara once a day, it will last more than four months--longer than your average mascara which should be replaced every three months. For more information, log onto www.maybelline.com. Visit the My Color Advisor section to help choose and use the right shades for you.

beauty on a budget: be wrinkle-free

Make the most of your beauty sleep--wake up looking younger than you did the night before! Garnier Nutriste Ultra-Lift Pro Deep Wrinkle Night Cream ($16.99) boosts skin’s natural repair process to reveal younger skin while you snooze. As we age, our body's natural repair system slows down, causing loss of skin firmness, elasticity and the deepening of existing wrinkles. Deep Wrinkle Night Cream works deep under the skin’s surface to restore elasticity and plump deep wrinkles from within. The result is firmer skin and decreased deep wrinkles. The rich yet lightweight formula absorbs completely without feeling sticky or greasy. Studies show that many women see firmer skin overnight and, in just two weeks, 86% of women felt firmer skin. Clinical studies show deep wrinkles are visibly reduced in four weeks. Just apply to face and neck nightly. The best part: You'd think a fancy night cream that does all this work would cost you your weekly paycheck. Not so. The price works just as well for your budget beauty routine. Available in mass market retailers nationwide. Go to www.garnier.com for more info.