Nude Skin

Right before the holidays, I stopped into Barneys and discovered this UK skincare line that is all-natural and soothing for the skin, especially in harsh weather climates. I was about to go on a long distance flight and go to a place where it was tropical climates and my skin was going to take a beating from the dry cold windy air of NY to the recycled air on the plane to humidity and heat from Singapore. I was in the market for a new facial scrub so I picked up the facial scrub offered by Nude Skincare because the granules were so tiny and it didn't seem harsh on the skin at all. Exfoliators are tough to purchase because you have to make sure it won't strip your skin of natural oils but rather the dead skin cell build up on the surface of your skin. I do have to say that this little jar is awesome. My skin feels soft and looks radiant after using this product. I use it about twice a week or more when I've been rolling around alot in the dance studio. Another great product I tried of the Nude line is the hydrating water. Its a nice spritzer to keep in your purse/office drawer as a little perk-me-up in the middle of the day. Keeps your skin moisturized and dewy, you can even put it on with make up on! Its apparently their best-seller. Definitely check out this skincare line.

UPDATE: Check out Nude Skincare's latest exfoliator. Detox Brightening Fizzy Powder

Matte eyeshadow

Sephora brand Matte eyeshadow

I've been really into matte eyeshadow and dark smokey shadows lately. Perhaps all the holiday sparkle has gotten to me and I want something more mysterious. I received a Sephora gift card for my birthday from a friend of mine and I went into the old store I used to work at in Soho. I missed working there sometimes. With $25 on the gift card, I didn't want to overdo it and wandered the store. For the price range of only $10 a shadow and the multitude of different textures and colors, its a steal. I picked up a matte shadow in No. 8 a sea gray which means it has a twinge of blue in it. This was just the color I was looking for. The Sephora brand eyeshadows have nylon-12 in them thus making it long-lasting and they are high pigmented so its not made of cheap stuff. I was happy that they had a line of matte eyeshadows, for those that are maturing and are worried about make up settling in fine lines, matte eyeshadows will work the best for you b/c you won't have to deal with sparkles settling in the lines which will magnify them.

"Pour some sugar on me"

Fresh is one of those luxury cosmetic brands that you love but not the price. Yet, you keep going back for more because their products smell and feel great. I picked up a concealer and the sugar lip treatment the last time I went inside the Fresh store in Soho. The sugar lip treatment is awesome, especially for this time of the year when the temperature drops and the wind chill is biting. The lip treatment is not sticky and feels smooth when put on the lips. It comes in a cute lipstick tube but this shouldn't deter the guys from purchasing this lip balm. My boyfriend uses this and likes that it isn't glossy or shiney or has any hint of color. This is great to put underneath a beautiful gloss or lipstick as well. The taste is their signature sugar. The ingredients that Fresh use in their products are sugar, rice, soy, water, etc. basically all-natural ingredients. This particular lip balm doesn't use petroleum so it doesn't feel like putting on vaseline on your lips. Next time you find yourself in biting cold weather and your lips are super-dry, you're going to want this product.

Silky finish lipstick by Benefit

I recently purchased "Liar lips" from the silky finish lipstick line from Benefit and it feels like silk on the lips. When the weather gets cooler, lipsticks make a comeback and the glosses are kept at a minimum. Benefit has been revamping their make up and I like the new products that are coming out. In Singapore, Benefit is the "it" cosmetic line and the price is more than double for each product. I have no idea why that is the case. I use Dallas blush bronzer, Lemon Aid, Eyecon, Boi-ing industrial concealer, She laq, Honey snap out of it scrub, and their foundation brush in my personal make up kit and/or my professional kit. I can't wait to see what this company comes out with next.

Addictive lip plumper

Pout has an addictive lip plumper that I love so much. I've never finished a lip gloss tube to the last drop until I came across Pout's original lip plump. The minty taste, the glossy nature, and the plumping effect is amazing! I always forget to reapply lip balm or gloss to keep my lips hydrated but this gloss made me look forward to reapplying gloss on my lips when I get the chance to the annoyance of my boyfriend. hehe. The maxi lip formula in the product actually works over time with continued usage. It really did plump my lips. Maxi lip is also a collagen booster so if you're getting to that age where your lipgloss/lipstick is feathering then this would boost collagen production and make your lips appear fuller. The glossy nature of this product is perfect, smooth and not sticky at all.
Currently Pout products can be purchased at select Victoria's Secret and online.

Check out this review on the beauty insiders

Very sad news: Pout Cosmetics ceased to exist. Read about it on Beauty News NYC

Teeth whitening

GoSmile really nailed it with this teeth whitening system. The ampules are tiny and fit into any purse. Its easy to apply and you never have to deal with a sticky mess. I am very happy that this product exists in the market. When I first tried it I accidentally missed a spot and you could see the difference! It was amazing. Of course with any topical teeth whitening, it won't sensitize your teeth and the best part of this product that sets them apart is that it freshens your breath as well. The B1 system is used 14 days straight and not more than three times a year. Too much whitening is not good for your teeth.

Luxurious body wash

Yea, I know its not make up but I did mention that I wanted to get into some of my favorite skin care/body care items because before you put on make up, the less you have to cover up the easier your job is. Starting with clean soft and touchable skin.
I love this body wash by Molton Brown in warming eucalyptus. I'm impartial to eucalyptus scents because it reminds me of sleep. When I was young, my mom used to rub eucalyptus oil on my back to help me fall asleep. This particular wash does warm up the body and the eucalyptus scent is very calming. For all those people who shower in the evening right before bed, this is the body wash for you. It will put you right to sleep.