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.

get nude now!

Who doesn't want to look good in the nude--especially when it comes to your face? Luckily, Nude Skincare products revive your skin, making you look and feel younger after just a few uses. I've been applying the Age Defence Moisturizer ($100) and Advanced Eye Complex ($108) for two weeks and couldn't be happier with the results. Here's how they work: Probiotics, the good bacteria found on skin, and prebiotics the natural sugars which bioselectively feed these good sugars, join forces to rebalance and strengthen skin's natural protective barrier. So what's inside? Only good-for-you stuff, like botanicals, peptides, COQ10, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. I love the facial moisturizer and its silky smooth texture. Sure, it glides onto your skin and absorbs quickly like you'd expect a good moisturizer to but it also offers a subtle firming action and leaves skin the way it feels post-facial. It's especially soothing for sensitive skin as well. The eye cream promises its own anti-wrinkle remedies while offering an immediate lift, reducing dark circles and eliminating puffiness. Plus, it increases collagen production to banish that hollow, sleepless effect. The same super-smooth texture left the skin around my eyes feeling smooth and helped soften unfriendly crow's feet. Also available is the Hydrating Water ($34), with prickly pear to lock in moisture, vanilla floral water to tone skin and rose floral water to soothe the complexion. The bottom line: Use Nude products and you'll feel like you can venture out without makeup because your skin looks THAT good. I even got two unprovoked comments from friends...something about a radiant glow! Go to www.nudeskincare.com to view the entire collection and make your purchase...or head to your nearest Sephora, Barneys, or Whole Foods store.

show off your shape

One of my favorite things about fall is digging out my tights and leggings. I love wearing them with slouchy boots and a cozy sweater for day, or sleek boots and a flirty top at night. I've blogged about one of my favorite brands, Scultpz Shapewear, in the past. But I had to write again to tell you about their latest looks. New for fall, you'll find opaque leggings and capris and textured tights in a collection of warm fall shades, like a pretty, dusty rose color (of course, a handful of neutrals match different skin tones too). There are shaper tops that smooth bulges and eliminate panty lines and control tops that tighten your tummy and give your butt a well-deserved lift. I tried the Control Top Leggings and was blown away by the fact that there's tons of support and shaping going on but no thick panels anywhere! I thought I was being Punk'd! Honestly, where did they put the heavy padding and tight waistbands you find in so many other shaper products? Plus, they claim the leggings and capris offer light massaging leg support. All I know is that instead of feeling tight and binding, they feel silky smooth. Go to www.sculptz.com to try them yourself. From $18 to $40, the biggest decision won't be whether to make a purchase but which ones to choose.