escape the winter: mineral sun protection

Just when I thought mineral beauty products couldn't get any better, I found Colorscience micronized mineral sun protection--perfect timing with winter vacations just around the corner. Colorescience Sunforgettable has SPF 30 as well as UVA and UVB protection. But the appeal isn't only in the breakthrough formula, it's also in the totally innovative packaging. Leave messy tube applicators and oily bottles behind. This mineral sunscreen is available in shaker can, dispensing brush or roller ball applicators. The shaker is great for hard-to-reach areas like your face, neck and shoulders and comes in a clear, perfectly clear or almost clear shade. The powder shakes easily out of the can and smooths into skin. The dispenser brush distributes just the right amount of powder to the face and neck and is great for more targeted areas like the sides of the nose or those prone-to-burn eyelids. The roller ball applicator covers larger surface areas so use it all over your body. No matter which you choose, you get the same great formula and unforgettable protection on your skin. I don't know about you but my vacation can't come soon enough! Available at fine day spas, resorts, dermatologist and plastic surgeon offices and makeup artists’ studios, Colorscience has attracted celebrity fans like Cameron Diaz, Katherine Heigl, Kelly Rowland and Christina Aguilera. For more information visit:www.colorescience.com.

the right to bare all

Word on the street: completely bare spa is stirring up quite a scene at its Bowery location (25 Bond Street, NYC) with a new interactive Christmas display! Fans are heading downtown to take their picture with the completely bare bond girl! And when you take your picture and tag completely bare in it, you get a percentage off of a treatment! Who wouldn't want that? The spa is known for its expertise in hair removal and has been a landmark beauty spot in New York City for years. (Since its debut in NYC in 1998, completely bare spas have opened in Scarsdale, NY and Palm Beach, Florida, in addition to other neighborhoods in Manhattan). From the ouchless wax treatment to laser hair removal to razor bump solutions and at-home waxing kits, owner Cindy Barshop knows how to smooth out any hair removal concerns. While I've heard about all of the shop's amazing hair removal treatments, I never knew completely bare had its own skincare line including completely clean antioxidant facial cleanser ($24), completely buff exfoliating crystals ($32) and completely blocked SPF 30 antioxidant sunscreen ($26--there's an SPF 45 too). I love the feel of the cleanser on my skin almost as much as I love the way it makes my skin feel afterward--smooth and clean. I mixed it with some exfoliating crystals to remove dry, dead skin and the result was an even softer, smoother effect. The crystals fine enough to avoid irritating my skin yet strong enough to make me feel the granules working. Though I love the smell of the antioxidant sunscreen, I haven't tried it yet. I'll get back to you after winter break! Try them for yourself at www.completelybare.com.

feels like buttah

I hate the heavy feel and unnatural look of some lipsticks so I tend to opt for lightweight glosses or stains. Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh and Katherine Heigl seem to agree with me. The Grey's Anatomy stars all have a "thing" for Korres Lip Butter ($9). Ellen prefers Quince, Katherine loves Jasmine, and Sandra opts for the darker shade of Plum--which happens to be my favorite. It goes on smooth and makes my lips feel buttery soft (thanks to a combination of shea butter and rice wax). And while it feels like the product is barely there (think of a moisturizing lip balm), you get a subtle dose of color that looks like a light lip stain. So basically it's a super-hydrating formula with a juicy pop of color. For an extra treat, dab a drop on your cheeks and blend for a natural tint. Get a taste of the above mentioned shades or try pomegranate, wild rose, guava, or mango at www.korres.com.

the new cold cream

Growing up, we always had a tub of Pond's Cold Cream in the bathroom cabinet. I remember opening it up and digging out a handful of cream to smooth all over my face. It felt rich, smooth and moisturizing, and left my skin feeling clean and fresh. These days, Pond's Cold Cream is still around--which makes me feel pretty old! Sure, it's packaged in a more modern container with a clean, cool design, but it still does the same great job on your skin. As you may know, I've added a Beauty Tip widget from Unilever to my blog. One of my favorite tips suggests using the cold cream as a face mask, letting it sink in, then washing it off with warm water. Why didn't I think of that years ago? For more beauty tips, keep your eye on my blog till 11/26--they change daily!

smooth operator

I'm always looking for a new lipstick formula. Something that feels good on my lips and looks natural too. Shu Uemura's rouge unlimited supreme shine lipsticks ($23) do both. I tried 943, a natural looking beigy shade. The color is subtle so I don't feel too made up. There is a hint of shimmer so it looks a little glam. And a sheerness to it so my natural lips show through. The formula is ultra-moisturizing, thanks to ceramide, which protects and cares for the lips. It feels comfortable which makes me want to swipe some on whether I'm going to the grocery store or out at night. And I love the comprehensive color range--from fiery reds, berry reds and icy pinks to flat oranges, warm browns and necessary neutrals. The best part: They last for eight hours so you rarely have to reapply. Choose your hue at www.shuuemura-usa.com.

matte-r of fact

I recently wrote about some new shades of matte nail polish--and now I have even more matte news. You don't have to switch from your favorite hue to try this new trend. It's the most simple beauty treatment you'll ever attempt. Just apply polish as usual and brush Essie's Clearly Matte right over it! In seconds, you'll have a completely new look. I tried it over my just-beginning-to-chip manicure (well, I didn't want to risk it on a fresh one!) and was amazed at the results. No longer shiny, my nails looked like the top layer had been stripped away (actually, that's probably how it works!). I can't say I approved at first--it just looked dull to me. After a few minutes of staring at my fingers (I haven't looked so long since I got engaged!), it started to grow on me. I can assure you, I won't be using it often. But it's a nice change every now and then, especially for all the dark polishes that are popular for winter. Essie's matte look is being promoted as part a new partnership between Essie and Rock & Republic. To complement your newly made-over nails, they're offering innovative new All About Matte jeans and Top Matte tees. Go to Rock & Republic retail locations or shop.rockandrepublic.com to shop.

republic of us

I can't remember the last time I wore fragrance. Maybe it's because so many of the other products I use have their own fragrances so applying perfume doesn't seem necessary. Or maybe it's because these days I'm lucky if I get to shower in the morning let alone dab on some edt. But when I heard Banana Republic was debuting a new pair of fragrances called Republic of Us, I was intrigued.

Republic of Women and Republic of Men, two unique scents designed to complement each other, debuted this fall. The concept behind them is to capture our own unique individuality and bring out the strong connection we have with ourselves, with others and with the world.

Playful and romantic, innocent and alluring, the Republic Of Women features notes of Cassis buds, juicy Lychee, Moroccan Rose, Jasmine, and precious woods (EDP $48). Modern and authentic, the Republic Of Men features notes of sparkling Clementine, wet Plum, freshly-cut Hazelnut, Basil, and Cedarwood (EDT $45).

Just a dab of Republic of Women on my inner wrists is a great accessory. The scent is elegant but subtle, a huge plus for non-fragrance wearers. It's alluring but soft with a sophisticated edge. I only got to try a sample--it comes in a miniature bottle that is totally adorable!. But this holiday season, you can experience The Republic of Us Collection ($49) as part of Banana Republic's holiday gift sets.

The women's gift set features a 50 ml eau de parfum and a 50 ml body cream while the men's gift set includes a 50 ml eau de parfum and a 50 ml body wash. It makes a great gift for others or even for yourself. So once your closet is fully stocked with cozy cardigans and pencil skirts, it's just one more reason to hit your local Banana Republic store.