Cheeks & Lips

Allure has written up Stila's little convertible color compacts for being versatile in nature so that in the summer or while travelling this summer one can double up on their blush and lipstick/gloss. I was playing around with the colors offered at the Sephora on 34th st last week and deduced that peony would be the perfect flush and work with many skin tones.

I'd recommend trying out the colors on the back of your arm and your cheek before making a desicion on whether this little compact would be a useful and lovely addition to your make up, especially when you want to jet out the door early.

The reason why I picked Peony is because it gives the skin a natural look. The creamy texture is soothing and blending it into the cheekbones are pretty easy. But don't forget to add a little highlighter on top of your cheekbones and some bronzer to contour.

Perfect sunkissed glow

If there is a product that I can't live without is Benefit's Dallas. It looks super dark in the little box but its amazing. Dallas is it. Personally, I prefer this to Nars Orgasm (altho this is another blush that I rave about as well as Laura Mercier's Nectar). Dallas is a combination blush/bronzer in one. Benefit has really done this product well.
This product looks good on camera as well. It gives me a rosy hue that is typical of after vigorous exercise but not too pink. I have put this blush/bronzer on a lot of different types of people and skin. It looks so natural and pretty. Just like my style, natural and pretty. You will love this!
This blush also can perk up a dull complexion for those too many over-nighters and lack of sleep because of stress nights. Blush is, in my opinion, the ultimate in faking your age.

Origins lash loving mascara

I got a new mascara a couple weeks ago because my Origins lash loving mascara was overdue to get thrown out. I picked this little mascara up while waiting in line at Sephora. What a joy this mascara gave me when it didn't clump, made my lashes look longer, volumizing, and didn't end up underneath my eyes. Up until this little discovery, I was a loyalist to the Origins mascara. The best part about this little mascara is its size. I don't wear mascara or make up on a daily basis (b/c of my parallel career as a dance artist) so having a smaller tube of mascara (cheaper than my Origins mascara!) is very beneficial for me b/c then I wouldn't feel like I'm throwing away a ton of mascara.
I use this mascara after curling my lashes with Shu Uemura's eyelash curler. I take the wand out of the tube and get the excess out on a paper napkin before putting it on my lashes to ensure that the mascara would not clump and end up underneath my eyes. I would definitely recommend this mascara.

Minted lip balm

I love this Rosebud salve Minted Rose lip balm. It comes in a fairly large tin, makes your lips tingle, multi-tasking in keeping cracked hands/heels/elbows moisturized. The balm also leaves just enough gloss with a little bit of rosy hue when piled on (really pretty). This product is only $7 and can be found at Sephora and Sephora.com online.
The only downside is that it doesn't last very long on the lips but it get absorbed into the lips and leaves lips nice and soft. It is not sticky either or leave any residue.
This product is perfect as a gift. I'm obsessive with this product and apply it whenever my hands are free and I'm waiting for the train/sitting on the train or on the way out the door. My boyfriend even uses this product because its not gender specific and doesn't leave shine like a gloss does.