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Holiday Makeup Gifts Guide — Sets That Can Be Split Between Friends!

The gift of beauty is so appreciated — I know, because that is what I give all of the women in my family as well as my friends for holidays. sometimes, even just a little lip gloss or eye liner or even nail polish can make someone’s day. In this economy, a large gift may not be feasible to give to all of your friends. My advice? Purchase one of these sets and split it up between a group of your co-workers, your teenage daughter’s besties, or your child’s favorite teachers at the middle school or high school. I guarantee that they will love your thoughtfulness as well as the amazing gift they receive!

tarte Eye Candy Waterproof 6-pc Amazonian Clay Shadow Wand Set ($29.50 USD, $59 value) — Feast your eyes on this. Infused with Amazonian clay, these shadow wands put an exotic twist on your makeup routine. The versatile set offers silky-smooth application and extended waterproof wear, in shades that pop from day to night. From tarte. Includes:

0.05-oz emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick in Charcoal
0.05-oz emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick in Champagne
0.05-oz emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick in Bronze
0.05-oz emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick in Moss
0.05-oz emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick in Taupe
0.05-oz emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick in Plum

These go on like a dream and stay on ALL DAY! You can purchase this beautiful set at www.qvc.com.

Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen Taster Trio ($12 USD) — These waterproof pencils give the intense effect of a liquid liner. The unique formula is super long-wear, non-transfer and ultra-pigmented. They glide on like seamless silk, and in a single application create a solid colour line that stays on and on. This limited edition trio includes our bestselling shades in a classic black, a suit-all deep brown, and an ultra-flattering deep lilac. Kit containing exclusive mini sizes of the bestselling Endless Silky Eye Pens in No.1 BlackNoir (intense black), No.3 BlackTulip (deep lilac), and No.4 BlackCocoa (deep brown). Perfect for lovers of very dark eyeliner and aer available at Target stores and www.pixibeauty.com.

Pur Minerals Liquid Metal Eye Shadow 4pc Stick Kit ($22 USD) — Turn up the heat with Pür’s long-wear Liquid Metal Eye Shadow Sticks. Available in four molten metallic hues with iridescent shimmer, our smudge-proof shadow sticks capture the light from all angles to create a megawatt, multidimensional effect. Effortlessly apply as an eye crayon or liner and feel the creamy, water-resistant formula cool the skin as it colors. Shades:

True Cobalt
Iced Bronze
Steel Envy
Midnight Chrome

These metallic liners are available at www.purminerals.com.

Laura Mercier Limited Edition Mini Lip Glacé Set ($48 USD) — Laura Mercier Lip Glacé is a high-shine, perfectly pigmented lip gloss with rich, long-lasting colour and brilliant shine that creates the appearance of fuller lips. With the unique blend of moisturizing, anti-aging, anti-oxidant and plumping ingredients provided by the Laura Mercier Lip Complex, the non-sticky gloss formula applies smoothly without feathering or bleeding. Available in a variety of coverage’s and finishes. The Limited Mini Lip Glace Set includes Rose, Blush, After Hours, Sparkling and Quartz. I love these luxurious glosses and you can purchase at www.lauramercier.com

LORAC Bejeweled Lip Gloss Collection ($25 USD, $132 Value) — Live the diamond life with LORAC’s Bejeweled Lip Gloss Collection! These glamorous glosses are infused with antioxidants to help nourish and protect, while the natural emollients soothe and moisturize your lips. The bejeweled diamond wand, with its sparkly finish and custom pro-brush, hugs the curves of your lips for gorgeous, ultra-rich color and super high shine. These are full-sized and the shades are:
• Rich Garnet (Dark Cherry) • Hot Pink Sapphire (Bright Pink) • Pink Diamond (Opalescent Lt. Pink) • Rose Tourmaline (Medium Pink) • Peach Moonstone (Peach) • Red Ruby (Red). These are very sparkly and perfect for teens and pre-teens as well as women who want to be noticed! Available at www.loraccosmetics.com.

Nails Inc. Glitterati Collection ($25 USD ,$29 Value) Bring the party to your nails with this sensational set of sparkling colors. The full coverage trio includes a sheer blue base with purple glitter, scene-stealing gold glitter, and a clear paint with silver and holographic glitter—all ideal options for fun, glistening style everywhere you play.
This set contains: – 3 x 0.33 oz Glitter Nail Polish in Hatton Garden (clear with silver microglitter and holographic glitter), London Bridge (sheer blue with purple glitter), Chelsea Embankment (gold microglitter). Available at Sephora and www.sephora.com. Enjoy

My Fave Glam Stocking Stuffers!

Candy and socks are nice — but sometimes we glam girls want something pretty in our stocking (besides jewelry)! The little sets and palettes below are wonderful pick-me-ups in shimmering shades that will help get her (or you) through the winter.

bliss santa’s little helpers ($11 USD, $24 value) — mega-moisturizing duo for mouth and ‘mittens’. You better watch ‘pout’, you better ditch dry—and you can do both with this spa-inspired lip- and hand-hydrating pair. Includes high intensity hand cream (1.0 oz) and fabulips softening lip balm. Available at bliss spas, www.blissworld.com, Sephora.

Burt’s Bees Simply Shimmer ($10 USD) Lips will smile this season when you give one of these spectacular sets. Each Lip Shimmer cares for your lips with Coconut and Sunflower Oils while Vitamin E nourishes them with a sheen. Made from luminescent Earth Pigments these lip lovelies are pretty alone or layered with your favorite lip colors– Nourishes and soothes lips with Vitamin E and Beeswax • Enriched with Sunflower and Coconut Oils • Invigorating Peppermint flavor

Red Mix contains:

Peony Lip Shimmer (0.09 oz.)
Fig Lip Shimmer (0.09 oz.)
Champagne Lip Shimmer (0.09 oz.)

This is a fun gift for one lady, or split it up and share the wealth! Available at mass market retailers near you.

Urban Decay Midnight Emergency Kit ($39 USD) — Look sultry at a moment’s notice without risking serious embarrassment with the Midnight Emergency Kit. Four luminous shadows, a cruelty-free shadow brush and Lip Junkie Lipgloss make the Midnight Emergency Kit a must for every purse! Swathed in a champagne pleather (Urban Decay is cruelty-free) case featuring a golden zipper that zips all the way around as well as a built in mirror, you’ll love to pull this baby out at any emergency! Available at Sephora, ULTA, select Macy’s, Sephora.com, Ulta.com, Macys.com, Beauty.com and UrbanDecay.com

JK Jemma Kidd Smoke It Up Kit ($22 USD) — Smoke it up. Create day-to-night, instant glamour with the ultimate smoky eyes shadow kit. Must-have matte and pearl shades teamed with essential defining wet/dry shadow/liner; housed in a chic, lightweight and travel friendly compact with handy flip mirror. Purchase at Target and www.target.com.

Vincent Longo Amaretti Diamond Collection ($44 USD) gift set offers “eye candy” for the holidays. Four unique shadows, literally baked into irresistible “color cookies,” recall the world-famous scrumptious Italian sweet. These holiday “eye candies” feature sweet complements of crystalline icing baked onto a velvety rich base of visible flavor. When applied, the gourmet treats and toppings meld and blend with sophisticated taste, for a look of visual sensation this holiday season and beyond. What’s more, the Amaretti Diamond Collection comes perfectly packaged for holiday gift-giving in a sleek, chic, red-bowed black box.

The shades are:

Midnight blue fudge topped with silver and  sapphire pearl frosting

Velvet vanilla crème treat laced with silver sprinkles

Rich chocolate brownie iced with glistening gold

Warm copperleaf cake topped with silvery sugar crystals

These aer luxurious shades and textures! Purchase at www.vincentlongo.com.

Lash Control Mascara ($20 USD) — An innovative, squeezable mascara package which allows you to continuously regulate the desired amount of mascara product on the brush. The built-in wiper sleeve at the mouth of the mascara tube is easily manipulated…. Now your brush can be both an applicator and a lash separator. No more scraping excess mascara off or wiping with a tissue. Just squeeze!

This is easy to use and very non-goopy. The only thing is that it does smudge a bit. When they introduce a waterproof formula — I’m in! Purchase at www.lashcontrol.com.

Hot Holiday Makeup Palettes To Give (and Receive)!

Makeup palettes are fabulous gifts for any lady. Below, I am featuring products in a variety of prices from $15 to $65 so you can find a very nice gift on any budget! Also, each company has many different holiday gifts in different price ranges. So check out their sites and have fun shopping!

Pixi Fake Awake Kit – Power-Nap ($28 USD on sale now for $23.80 USD) from the Pixi line. This makeup comes in lovely hues of pink for your cheeks and lips. These versatile colors can be dressed up or down. If you’re tired and lacking some serious nap time, let the Fake Awake Kit from Pixi™ perk up your look! Kit contains: Lip/Cheek Tint, Lip Gloss, Awakening Powder, Setting Powder and 4 Concealers. Available at Target and www.target.com.

Jemma Kidd Glamour Kit Palette ($48 USD) — This all-in-one glamour kit will let you easily create an array of ultimate party looks in an instant. Developed exclusively for Space NK, Jemma Kidd Makeup School brings you the all-in-one ‘60s inspired Glamour Kit. This of the moment palette includes a two-in-one priming eye and lip base to enhance colour pigment and ensure long-lasting results; a selection of 4 versatile eye shadows in neutral, taupe, charcoal and an illuminating silver to open the eye area for that iconic ‘60s doe-eye; a high pigment black crème liner to give high-definition; and a lightweight lip and cheek flush for a natural finish. Apply with mini Jemma Kidd Make Up School essential shadow and liner duo brush applicators. You can find this at www.spacenk.com. There is also a lovely palette at Urban Outfitters and you can find tons of great JK Jemma Kidd sets and stocking stuffers at Target and www.target.com.

Laura Mercier Limited Edition Baked Eye Colour Palette ($48 USD) — Enhance eyes this holiday season with Laura’s stunning new Baked Eye Colour Palette. In shades of warm bronze, cool pink and smoky lilac, this beautiful palette features a range of five Baked Eye Colours, plus a mini Double-Ended Eye Colour/ Crème Eye Detail Brush for flawless application. The palette includes 5 shades: sienna, terracotta, ballet pink, pink petal and lilac. You can find this at www.lauramercier.com.

Mally More Perfect Palette ($65 USD) — The latest edition of Mally’s favorite colors all delivered in a single beautiful Palette, with a gorgeous lipgloss, three brushes and a fierce travel pouch. Everything you need for a fast face on the go, Two Blushers (Mally’s look & Romantic), six gorgois eye shadows (Mally’s Glow, Browlight, Natural, Shimmering Taupe, Broadway Bronze and Nolita Navy), an eye shadow base, an all over Luminizer, And Blossom, one of Mally’s favorite lipcolors. Available at www.mallybeauty.com.

Stila Dream in Full Color Palette ($39 USD $366 value) — makes creating endless color combinations a reality. With 29 Eye Shadow shades, seven Cheek Colors and a Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Stingray, it’s easy to dream up a different look for each holiday party – day or night. For step-by-step instructions, a 16-page artistry lookbook expertly demonstrates how to apply – empowering everyone to be their own pro artist. www.stilacosmetics.com

e.l.f. Studio Holiday 144-Piece Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette ($15 USD) — Looking for the ultimate gift for you or someone special on your list? e.l.f.’s limited edition Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette features 144 gorgeous shades to create endless eye looks for the makeup artist in all of us. From bright blue hues to perfect plums, rich neutrals and sparkling charcoals, these long-lasting, pigmented shadows are ideal for creating vivid day and night looks that reflect your personal style. Discover beautiful eyes with the Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette! This sleek palette comes packaged in a sparkling silver glitter box for instant holiday glam! www.eyeslipsface.com

Treat Someone To a Fab Bath And Body Gift Set

A beautiful body care gift is perfect for so many of the ladies in your life! The sets below are all lovely. The Pacifica or the Upper Canada set would be perfect for a teacher. The Olay or the AHAVA collections would be a sweet gift for an aunt or grandmother. Split up the L’Occitane hand creams and give to fellow office workers. And your best friend would love the Bliss spa set. It smells fantastic!

Olay Luscious Embrace Luxuries Gift Set ($9.99 USD $15 value) — Let fragrant moisture embrace you. Discover the lush, flourishing beauty of the Amazon – lushly exotic, merging the scent of crushed orchid extract with hints of papaya, blackberry and black currant. Feel it envelop your body like a botanical-infused steam treatment. With jojoba butter.

Contains:

10 fl oz moisturizing body wash
Puff
8.4 fl oz hand & body lotion
2 moisture bars, 4.25 oz each
Savings booklet

You can purchase this set and others from Olay at drugstores and mass market retailers near you.

Pacifica Island Vanilla Take Me There Set ($18 USD, $26 USD ) — Inspired by the unique magic of Tahitian vanilla, this sensual blend sets sweet and sultry vanilla absolute, with honey-jasmine notes and a touch of fruitiness, against a deep and beautiful base of tea. This set contains the purse-ready 2.5oz Body Butter, .33oz Perfume Roll-on and NEW Color Quench Natural Moisture Lip Tint. Visit www.pacificaperfume.com to learn more and purchase.

L’Occitane Hand Cream Bouquet ($60 USD on sale for $50 USD) — The delightful Hand Cream Bouquet is an arrangement of Mini Shea Butter Hand Creams (1 ounce each) in Cocoa Flower, Desert Rose, Hibiscus Flower, Pivoine Flora, Shea Butter and Vanilla. This fantastic set comes wrapped in a festive pink holiday box with candy print, delightfully packaged in gold paper. Purchase at usa.loccitane.com.

Upper Canada Naturally Tin Box Set ($20 USD) — On their own, Upper Canada Soap’s BodyWash and Lotion keep skin soft and supple, but together they are the ultimate power couple in moisturizing and smoothing skin! Available in Wild Mint Lime, Warm Honey Nectar, Pressed Olive and Avocado, and Sweet Vanilla Fig. Visit www.uppercanadasoap.com to learn more.

bliss happy ‘spa’lidays in lemon + sage ($29 USD, $46 value) — a ‘scent’-sational set of best-selling bath blends
This lemon scented, spa-inspired sudsing and softening set is your ‘zest’ bet for a livelier lather and post-shower slathering. Merry ‘citrus’ to all! Includes full sizes of lemon+sage soapy suds and body butter, plus a Bliss blue shower pouf.
• Lemon+Sage Soapy Suds (16 oz): whips up a luxe lather and doubles as bath bubbles • Lemon+Sage Body Butter (6.7 oz): delivers mega-moisture in Bliss’ signature scent. You may purchase at www.blissworld.com or www.sephora.com.

Shoshanna for AHAVA Gift Set ($35 USD value $60 USD) — This limited edition holiday gift set will spark skincare addicts and fashion lovers alike as it brings the best of two worlds together: skincare and fashion. The collaboration between AHAVA and Shoshanna was inspired by their ability to make women feel and look their best, at any age. Combining the best in mineral skincare with the best in design, AHAVA and Shoshanna created this bright, bold, sensible travel case to compliment the chic, sophisticated traveler. The set contains AHAVA’s famed products: Mineral Body Lotion, Mineral Hand Cream, and Dermud Enriched Foot Cream. Available at Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, and www.AHAVAUS.com. Enjoy!

Treat Your Nails To Holiday Cheer With a New Polish

The easiest way to try a new beauty trend is by changing up your nail look. This holiday season, try a rich, glittery, magnetic polish or maybe even a printed nail decal. Try one of the below and get ready for compliments, party girl!

Perfect Formula Perfect Color nail polish ($15.00 USD) is formulated with “Instant Strength Technology” to give instant strength and thickness to the nail. The custom designed brush along with the perfectly pigmented polish ensures a smooth even application on the nails every time. 2011 Holiday colors include Black Tie (gunmetal), Caviar (deep red), Invite Only (dark plum), and Tulle (soft nude). Perfect Color is Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate free. Available at www.qvc.com.

Layla Nails Magneffect ($15.50 USD) — This extremely cool and fun to use polish give a decorative look by the use of magnets. This is available in 12 rich colors.

Apply one coat of magneffect on a single nail. Put the nail immediately near the magnet on the cap or an alternate magnet for 5 seconds. Enjoy magnetic nail art and continue with the rest of the nails. Purchase at www.drugstore.com or www.amazon.com.

Forget diamonds! This winter China Glaze introduces a nail industry first: utilizing 3-D glitters in its new “Eye Candy” collection. Inspired by Marilyn Monroe and her timeless allure, this innovative new glitter technology provides a knock-your-eyes-out, super sparkly effect to your manicure. Multi-sized and differently shaped glitter particles are cleverly combined to create a sexy, super decadent, 3-D finish in six bright, eye-popping shades. Whether you prefer gleaming gold or glamorous smoky grey, China Glaze’s “Eye Candy” collection adds a dazzling finish to your holiday look with a glimmer that is sure to catch everyone’s eye! Colors in this collection include:

· Love Marilyn: Vivacious Red with Shimmering Silver Particles

· Blonde Bombshell: Glistening Multidimensional Gold Flecks

· Lorelei’s Tiara: Sterling Silver Infused with Blue Sprinkles

· Material Girl: Posh pink with Holographic Bubblegum Glitter

· Some Like It Haute: Graphite Gray with Holographic Glitter

· Marry A Millionaire: Alluring Amethyst with Multi-tonal Fibers

Celebs like Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Ivanka Trump, Rosario Dawson and Emmy Rossum regularly rock China Glaze and now you can get your bling on with “Eye Candy.” China Glaze is free of DBP, toluene, and added formaldehyde. China Glaze nail lacquers are available through salons and professional beauty supply stores nationwide. For more information, visit:www.chinaglaze.com or follow China Glaze on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChinaGlaze.

A fun idea is the limited-edition holiday prints of Sally Hansen’s hit, Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips (9.99 USD). When Sally Hansen first introduced its peel-and-apply nail polish strips, the manicure breakthrough took the world by storm. Now Sally Hansen introduces trendsetting prints exclusively for the holidays, putting the spirit of the season at your fingertips. Like all the prints in the Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips collection, the five festive prints let you peel, apply, file, and go, delivering a real-polish manicure without mess or stress. Whether you’re playing Santa and stuffing a stocking or heading to the party of the moment, these seasonal strips are the ultimate accessory.

The new prints include Plaid About You (red and black plaid), Peppermint Twist (red and white candy stripe), Snow Bunny (white with red snowflakes), Prep’s Cool (black and silver argyle), and Winter Funderland (black, silver and blue glitter). Each Salon Effect Real Nail Polish Strips kit includes 16 nail polish strips, a cuticle stick, mini file/ buffer and instructions for easy at-home application. When you’re ready to change your nail strips, simply swipe nails with your favorite Sally Hansen polish remover for an instantly clean slate. Sally Hansen products are available at chain drug stores, food stores and mass merchandisers nationally.

Black Friday Deals From It Cosmetics

Visit www.itcosmetics.com to purchase. Enjoy!

Great Gift With Purchase From Erickson Beamon Jewelry and Beauty.com

Just in time for your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping sprees, Beauty.com announces the launch of the Erickson Beamon China Club bag, an encore offering from the renowned designers behind the Erickson Beamon jewelry collection. Starting today, this holiday exclusive will be available for free with any $100 purchase via www.Beauty.com/EricksonBeamon.Filled with a variety of beauty samples, this bag is valued at $150 and will be available while supplies last – so please encourage your readers to grab one while they can… without having to face the crazy crowds at the mall.

“As customers prepare for the holiday season, great gifts with purchase like the China Club bag really showcase our enhanced assortment,” said Kathleen McNeill, President of Beauty.com. “From skin care, makeup and hair care to great jewelry and accessories, Beauty.com really can be a one-stop shop.”

The silky clutch is covered in a graphic jewelry print and sports two rhinestone zipper pulls, and with celebrity fans including Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rihanna and Katy Perry, this envelope-style wristlet is ideal for holiday gifting or as an evening accessory for your fashion-forward friends.

“The fabric of the bag is actually a print designed from our jewelry. China Club is dramatic and sexy, playful and coy. Best of all, it’s the perfect little clutch to take out on the town, because in the end, girls just want to have fun,” said designer Karen Erickson.

Also, don’t forget that this holiday season, Beauty.com makes it easy to gift your favorite beauty must-haves without ever leaving the house – grab Urban Decay Sparkling Edible Body Powder for your single girlfriends, Stila Natural Eye Shadow Palette for your mom and even something for your man with The Perfect Shave Kit from Anthony Logistics For Men. Beauty.com is a one-stop shop for everyone on your list and is offering free shipping with a $25 purchase, with their last day for standard shipping on December 20th at 12pm EST. Save $10 off a purchase of $40 or more by ordering through their holiday catalog, and don’t fight tooth and nail for that perfect present – instead head to Beauty.com for a beautifully stress-free holiday.

Please follow @beautydotcom for discounts and brand updates and visit www.beauty.com to purchase and receive this fab gift.

Stocking Stuffer Guide 2 — Lovely Lipsticks and Glosses!

Lip color is the perfect pick-me-up for all seasons, especially for the holidays. A new lipstick or gloss can update your look with little money. You can also stuff one of these in the stocking of someone who needs a little treat — or who loves makeup — like me (hint, hint)!

Since lip color is about more than just the shade, new beautyADDICTS BeautifullLIPS Lipstick ($18 USD) collection has it all! These 8 rich and creamy colors are infused with intense hydration so your lips are always protected and nourished with enduring beautiful coverage. Created with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and other natural ingredients, this formula also plumps with natural peptides and stimulates collagen for a firmer, smoother more voluptuous lip. Available at www.beautyaddicts.com or at a salon near.

Aveda Shine out loud ($15 USD) With fresh colors from nature: these translucent wet glosses bring the power of beetroot, beta carotene and berry anti-oxidants to life on lips. Each Lip Shine has a refreshing flavor that blends certified organic vanilla, peppermint, cinnamon, anise and basil.

Golden Prism Mini Lip Shine
Pomelo Mini Lip Shine

The limited-edition gift sets come covered in hand-crafted lokta bark paper from Nepal. Purchase at www.aveda.com.

Boots No 7 Poppy King Lipstick Number Two Power ($9.99 USD) — No7 has collaborated with lipstick legend Poppy King to create an exclusive range of lipsticks to change women’s’ views of lip color forever. Wearing lip color has a powerful effect on both the wearer and the beholder. It brightens your day and everyone around you. Poppy King designed a rose shade that is as powerfully stylish as it is pretty. The lipstick is quite sheer but is easily buildable by dabbing on the color with feather strokes. To finish it off? Poppy suggests layering on a slick of the accompanying lip gloss ($9.99 USD) for a shiny finish. Purchase at www.shopbootsusa.com or Target stores.

Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics Lip Gloss ($23 USD) — This long-lasting, non-sticky gloss delivers shimmery color. Formulated with conditioning botanicals and vitamin E to moisturize, hydrate and protect lips. Plumping shades provide noticeable results without the tingle and irritation experienced by most lip plumpers. Available at www.ybskin.com. Enjoy!

Give The Gift Of Glam — Stocking Stuffer Guide Part 1

Looking to give a special lady the gift of beauty for the holidays? The following products are perfect for an instant pick-me-up and make fantastic beauty stocking stuffers.

BORBA Age Defying Eye Creme Concentrate ($20.99 USD) — What’s the first feature that gives away your age? Your eyes, of course. Wrinkles, dark circles and puffiness are the badges of a life well lived, but all too often they are mistaken for signs of worry, fatigue or even poor health. Set your sights on a brighter outlook. This luxurious BORBA Age Defying Eye Creme Concentrate can help diminish the appearance of multiple signs of aging all around the eye area.

What I think — This silky serum goes on so smoothly. The skin around my eyes is instantly smoother and I look more awake. I use this day and night and I have really seen a difference in fine line and dark circles in just a few weeks. It smells lovely, too! Available at www.borba.com.

Youngblood Pressed Mineral Foundation ($45 USD) — Our oil-controlling Pressed Mineral Foundation provides exceptional concealing properties, while remaining lightweight and healthy for your skin. This special formulation includes rice starch to offer a smooth, matte look with a healthy, natural glow. The elegant, sleek black compact fits easily in your purse for a quick touch-up any time.

What I think — I love this matte foundation. It is not too dry, but it does absorb oil and not make me look shiny. I also like that it is pressed. Most mineral foundations are loose and are hard to carry. This comes in a sleek compact and is easy to keep in your purse. Purchase at www.ybskin.com.

Baked Cheek Dreams Blush and Highlighter Trio ($31.00 USD) includes two great blushes plus a stripe of my most popular French Vanilla highlighter, in a single, take-everywhere compact that fits right in the palm of your hand!

What I think — I have this in the Neapolitan shade which includes a pink blush and a bronzer along with the vanilla color. This gives a perfectly glowing face — sculpt your face with the bronze, brighten with the blush and highlight with the vanilla. Available at www.laurageller.com.

Mosha Katani Sormeh ($28 USD) — Sormeh powder is a sooty black powder that has been used by women in Middle Eastern countries for centuries. L.A.-based makeup artist Mosha Katani has started selling the powder, packaging it in ruby glass bottles that come with a vial of powder and a brush. The powder, which is made from castor oil and zinc oxide, lasts all day once applied.

What I think — This inky powder is applied to the inner rims of the eyes. My eyes are very sensitive, and this irritates them a bit. Use just a little so it won’t go in the eyes. When it is on, it does stay on a long time and gives good color pay off. Purchase at http://www.etsy.com/shop/moshakatani.

Boots No7 Exceptional Definition Mascara ($7.99 USD) — The wand’s unique 3-in-1 unique concept does it all! Use this nutrient enriched mascara to volumize and define each and every lash with a brush exclusive to Boots No7. The wand has discs on one side to create volume, precision bristles on the other side to create definition and length to frame the lashes, and additional spiky bristles on the end of the brush to coat smaller, harder to reach lashes.

What I think – This is a great defining mascara. I found that it gave me some length and volume, but not a lot. If your lashes are long, this will give them definition. Available at Target, www.target.com and www.ShopBootsUSA.com. Enjoy!

Holiday Fragrance Gift Guide 2011 — Including One By Snooki!

Perfume is a classic holiday gift. Below are some new fragrances that would make great gifts. From scents that smell like the holidays from Demeter, to a fun Harajuku Lovers perfume ornament to an actual perfume by Snooki (which is very sweet, but smells pretty good), you can find something perfect for the perfume lover on your list!

Snooki by Nicole Polizzi ($45 USD) Inspired by her favorite treats (no, not pickles) comes the namesake fragrance by Nicole Polizzi, Snooki. This premiere fragrance embodies the essence of Snooki from head to toe (all 4 ft 9’inches of her). The perfume formula is playful, flirty, sweet and sexy, created with delicious notes reminiscent of sweet cotton candy from the boardwalk. Categorized in the fragrance world as a “fruity gourmand,” to Snooki, it is simply “the kind of fragrance that makes gorilla juice heads want to cuddle up next to you.” Launching November 10th on HSN and available November 25th in Perfumania stores and on Perfumania.com

As the days get shorter and we prepare for the winter months, the smells of the holidays come to mind. Shopping for the perfect stocking stuffers that won’tbreak the bank is a must! You can now get the aromas of the season and the perfect holiday gifts for under $20 dollars from the Demeter Fragrance Library ($20 for 1 oz)!

The sweet spicy scent of Gingerbread wafting from the oven, the fruity aroma of a warm Mulled Cider, and the crisp cold smell of the freshly fallen Snow meld together to create the warm, holiday ambiance. It’s the wonderful bouquet of holiday smells that remind us most of those cherished memories from years past, and with these fabulous stocking stuffers, you won’thave to miss them! Demeter’s Fragrance Library includes an array of holiday scents sure to satisfy, including: Apple Pie, Cranberry, Egg Nog, Christmas Tree, Fireplace, Gingerbread, Mulled Cider, Snow, and Christmas Bouquet. Watching your figure this Thanksgiving? Indulge in your favorite sweet treats completely guilt free! Visit www.demeterfragrance.com.

Harajuku Lovers Jingle G ($25 USD) Make your Holidays super kawaii with Jingle G, the newest fragrance from Harajuku Lovers. All dressed up in a supercute and sparkly “Santa” suit, Jingle G features a built-in hook making her the perfect holiday ornament and stocking stuffer! Top: tangerine, gardenia, and whitestar fruit Mid: jasmine, orange blossom, and honeysuckle Base: vanilla, cedarwood, and laosbenzion tears Availability: Sephora and www.sephora.com.

ck one on the go spray ($15 USD) Intuitive in both design and function, the 20ml ck one on-the-go bottle is slim and lightweight. the innovative format reinterprets the iconic ck one bottle into a modern,portable handheld, making the original fragrance more free-spirited than ever before. Top: bergamot, cardamom, tangerine,freesia and lavender. Mid: green tea accord, violet, rose and orange flower Base: musk combined with amber Availability: Sephora .

Chloé Signature Solid Perfume Necklace ($60 USD) This delicately engraved locket is a luxurious case holding the Chloé signature solid perfume. featuring the original, distinctive notes of rose, the necklace presents a new way to wear perfume, a new ritual. a smart and timeless gesture. Top: rose, peony Mid: lily of the valley, magnolia Base: amber, cedarwood Availability: Selected authorized Chloé retailers.

Nightfall by Susan McCray Eau de Parfum ($65 USD) is a remarkably alluring and mysterious fragrance. From the moment this hand blended, one hundred percent natural,chemical free scent touches your skin you feel transformed. Your inner beauty and confidence shine like the BELLALIQUE™ stone trimmed bottle top that adorns Nightfall’s French crystal bottle. Nightfall Eau de Parfum is a medley of the very finest ingredients, including White Jasmine, White Rose, Bergamot (a unique citrus fruit found in the coastal region of the South Italy), Blackcurrant buds (which are taken from dormant fruit buds of the blackcurrant bush) and just a drop or two of Ylang Ylang (extracted from the Cananga tree flower). The Nightfall 2 oz. spray comes beautifully cased in a stunning blue box. The packaging is hand fashioned of eco-sensitive material. Visit www.nightfallbysusanmccray.com to purchase.

Spadaro Sole Nero ($135.00, 100mL eau de parfum; $40, body lotion; and $45, candle) The Journey: Inspired by a trip to Sicily, this fragrance is rooted in the sweet and succulent citrus fruits savored each day as well as an unforgettable dinner near the heat of Mount Etna.

The Notes: Sunny Italian Grapefruit and Bergamot are imbued with a precious spice accord of White Pepper and Cumin. Enveloped by tender Musk and comforting notes of Sandalwood, Almond and Vanilla. Available at www.spadaro.com and www.nordstrom.com.