Have you ever left the house naked? I used to do it all the time but then I started changing and just didn’t feel as comfortable in my skin. Relax people! I’m talking about leaving your house without makeup on. Remember the good old days when you’d just grab your lunchbox and head off to the world? So you were eight, but still, it was nice. There’s not a lot of facial nudity going on in the world as of late for various reasons ““ mine happen to be acne related. Even if you don’t have a new and friendly blemish up and running, if you’re like me, you’re dealing with the after-effects of redness which call for some covering up.

Enter Kate Somerville. If you haven’t heard of this LA skin guru chances are you’ve seen her work on the lovely visages of Annette Benning, Kirsten Dunst, Sandra Oh, and Debra Messing just to name a few. If you don’t live in LA you can order her products online at www.katesomerville.com after filling out a free personalized skin consultation. I did it and have some favorite products that were chosen for me.

Kate’s whole MO is combining esthetics, medical science, and botanical ingredients and her Purify Exfoliating Cleanser hits the spot! With the included peppermint, lavender, and orange oils, it smells amazing, while the dash of salicylic and lactic acids gently exfoliate skin to show the brightness underneath.

I was nervous about using the recommended Clarisonic Skin Care Brush with my cleanser since my Irish skin tends to get pink at the drop of a hat, but found the brush itself to be very gentle and made my skin feel smoother, not irritated. It was a lovely surprise. (www.clarisonic.com or www.katesomerville.com)

I also generally have mixed emotions on toners since most for oily/acne skin have alcohol and dry me out. Not so with the Clarifying Treatment Toner. Alcohol free, it also has an ingredient called Phytic Acid, an antioxidant that actually helps fade scars.

The most exciting thing for me was Kate’s Goat Milk Cream ““ a moisturizer targeting sensitive/oily skintypes. I have a constant struggle finding a moisturizer that doesn’t break me out. I’ve tried dozens of them and always end up with little reminders that they don’t work for me. However, the Goat Milk Cream (which is actually really thin and feels like a light-weight lotion) only made my skin look and feel great! Lactic Acid gently exfoliates skin while Witch Hazel fights bacteria. Vitamin C brightens while Vitamin E soothes ““ it’s a cocktail of goodness for your face!

Kate is a believer in also working from the inside out and so I used the VitaMedica Healthy Skin Formula Vitamins that contain ingredients that promote collagen synthesis, reduce inflammation, and detoxify skin. My skin felt smoother as a result and it makes sense to work from within to achieve “good looks” on the outside.

There’s a slew of products for every skintype available, so feel free to test a few to find what’s right for you. And to answer my own question ““ yes, thank you very much, Kate ““ I have headed out naked as a jaybird and for the first time in a long time felt perfectly happy about it!

We’d like to start off 2007 by looking back at some of the best bets of 2006. These are the products and trends in the beauty biz that made an impact or started a trend. The best thing about them – it’s not too late for you to jump on the beauty bandwagon.

 

 

 

“Oil-free concealer” …like HOW did we go for centuries without it? Lorac’s new Undercover Lover, available in three shades, is full of ingredients that are meant to soothe, like vitamins A and E, green tea, and chamomile, instead of oils that clog. Eyeliss is a special bonus that reduces under eye puffiness and gives a lovely treatment inside the concealor. www.lorac.com.

 

 

Dark Nails. If you were not quite feeling that whole black polish thing that swept the underfed young celebs (uh—the only thing less glamorous than chipped red nails: chipped black nails), go with a deep shade of wine. Bad Britney Burgundy from Dashing Diva lets you have the fun without the drama. www.dashingdiva.com

 

Tom Ford for Estee Lauder.  This year the man who put the Gooch back in Gucci, dazzled us with a beautiful new line of neutrals for Estee Lauder. The packaging, reminiscent of your mother’s Lauder, but the products…modern chic all the way.

 

 

 
Perfect Foundation. You’ve seen it everywhere and with good reason ““ Yves Saint Laurent’s Perfect Touch is one of the ultimate Quick Fixes. Foundation and brush all in one, this formula has a hint of the best selling Touche Eclat highlighting concealor as well as protection against UVA damage. Throw it in your bag and go! www.saks.com.

 

Patterened after Missoni. The Italian fashion house, best known for beautifully patterned knits proved this year that they can do makeup. Their Face Highlighter Compact is composed of warm shades of bronze, pink, champagne, and orange in their signature zig zag pattern. www.gloss.com 

Moisturize yourself tan. If you were in on the Jergens Natural Glow Moisturizer craze from last year you will love their new Natural Glow Face Daily Moisturizer. If used every day for a week the oil-free, lightweight moisturizer will gradually deepen your skin to be a shade darker. It’s available in three shades and is a great way to prepare for sunny weather. www.jergens.com.

 

 

Beestung lips, without the sting. Finally a lip plumper that won’t burn your lips off! MAC has the new Plushglass formula and they’ve enriched it with Vitamin E for a plumper that actually soothes your pout. Vanilla flavoring and a refreshing cool tingle are what you get instead of a peppery burn. www.maccosmetics.com

And just so you don’t think we’re resting on our laurels: a look ahead at what we think will be the biggest trends in beauty for 2007: The Colour Purple, Lash Extensions that really last, Stepping away from shimmer- a healthy glow replaces glittery sparkles and The real return of the Fuller Brow.  Read each month, if for no other reason than to test how well our Crystal Beauty Ball is working!

The mineral craze has officially hit the nation with full force! I’m willing to wager that almost everyone is familiar with the idea of using minerals in a loose foundation (and if you’re not, brush up your basics at www.beautynewsla.com/beauty/swirl-tap-and-buff/ and become a veritable rock hound!).

We know that mineral makeup is generally free of alcohol and have some sort of sun protection, but do we really know more about the topic than this? Is there more to mineral makeup than just one product? We delved into every nook and cranny of the “rocky” world and found out some great new lines as well as those that are tried and true. We also sat down with mineral makeup pioneer, Jane Iredale, to get some facts straight.

BeautyNews: We’ve heard the argument that loose powder mineral foundations settle into pores and are sometimes too “shiny” for people – what is your response?
Jane: I think it depends on what’s in the formula and how it’s formulated. It’s impossible to lump all mineral powders under one umbrella. That’s why we offer three types of formula: pressed, loose and liquid. In addition, application also plays a large part in the way a mineral powder will look and it’s so important to use a good brush. We offer a full line of brushes that are cruelty free. In fact, we obtain the hairs naturally (from the brush when we naturally brush animals).

BeautyNews: We’ve also heard that some people have sensitivities to Oxybizmuth Chloride – what are your feelings on that ingredient?
Jane: We’ve done sensitivity tests ““ 50 people per product ““ and found zero sensitivity. There are all kinds of bismuth oxychoride. We use the highest grade possible called Sericite which is a combination of BN, mica and silica. If there is a sensitivity to BM, it has to be very small since it’s been used in cosmetics since Cleopatra.

BeautyNews: What’s the ingredient that causes a sheen?
Jane: It isn’t one ingredient. It’s all the ingredients and just as importantly the way they’re blended together. Blending is probably one of the most important factors because minerals can be very temperamental.

BeautyNews: How do you feel about lines marketing themselves as mineral lines and their products contain talc?
Jane: Mineral makeup has always been defined as something that doesn’t contain talc or FD&C dyes. So I wouldn’t consider any powder containing talc a mineral makeup. I would class it as a traditional makeup masquerading as a mineral makeup. jane iredale takes so much pride in sticking to “mineral makeup” guidelines.
BeautyNews: What do you feel about finishing powders?
Jane: I don’t think it’s necessary with a good mineral powder. We offer a matting powder for those with very oily skins but its purpose is to absorb excess oil during the day not as a finishing powder.

BeautyNews: Do you feel that the formula in a liquid mineral foundation is targeted for sensitive skin or is it a bit more compromised than a powder because of the binders necessary for a liquid?
Jane: Again, not all liquid mineral foundations are created equal. I’ve seen some liquid foundations that call themselves mineral but are anything but. They don’t have to be compromised. Our Liquid Mineralâ„¢ is full of active ingredients that are good for the skin including aloe vera oil, CoQ10 and other helpful ingredients. We’ve even managed to do it without synthetic preservatives. Generally binders are used by pressed powders not liquid.

BeautyNews: How much “mineral” is in a mineral lipstick/gloss? Is it really that different from a regular lip product? Does it still have the SPF?
Jane: Our lipsticks have an SPF 18 with edible zinc oxide which is a mineral. The difference between our lipsticks and traditional formulas are that they don’t contain FD&C dyes. We color mostly with iron oxides which are minerals. We think this is important because if you wear lipstick every day, you will eat two tubes a year, so why not make sure what you are eating is completely safe and free from chemical?

BeautyNews: Why is it so rare to find pressed mineral powders? – whether they be foundations, blushes, or shadows?
Jane: Because they’re much more difficult to deal with than the loose and are more expensive. I could fill two pages with the problems. However, women do seem to find them more convenient and so it’s worth the extra trouble and expense. We were actually the first mineral cosmetics line to provide pressed powders!

Whew! So now we know what we’re dealing with, here’s where you can find all sorts of creative goodies!

Let’s say that you’re over the loose powder and want something that gives you the benefits of mineral makeup, but isn’t going to get all over your bathroom and makeup bag ““ we hear you! There are several options. TRUE Cosmetics employs Idebenone which is a new ingredient to the cosmetic world that gives an antioxidant boost and lightens hyperpigmentation without bothering your skin. Their Protective Mineral Makeup Compact is a pressed alternative, is available in 14 shades, and won’t spill all over the place ““ an added bonus. www.truecosmetics.com

Aveda’s Inner Light Tinted Moisture SPF 15 is a lightweight tinted moisturizer that employs malachite, mica, titanium dioxide, and tourmaline to give a longwearing finish that doesn’t turn on you by oxidizing the way many mineral products tend to do. www.aveda.com

For a more full-coverage product jane iredale’s Liquid Mineral (mentioned above) is one of the best bets. The mineral spheres float in a gel of aloe vera, lavender flower water, and vegetable glycerin. Jane has employed a time-release technique in the foundation that deliver antioxidants to the skin throughout the day ““ so not only are you looking great, you’re also doing your skin a favor! www.janeiredale.com

MAC Mineralized Skin

L’Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Makeup

If talc doesn’t bother you but you like the idea of mineral powders MAC has their limited edition Mineralized Skin Finish in five shades that match Nicole Kidman fair to Iman deep skintones with a silky matte finish. www.maccosmetics.com. If you like the idea of a travel ready product, L’Oreal’s Bare Naturale Mineral Makeup has a mini Kabuki brush built in to deliver the SPF 19 infused loose powder foundation www.walgreens.com

Everyone is producing their own version of the shimmer brick ““ whether it’s stripes of color or squares, you can use your powder brush to get a sweep of color or an eyeshadow brush to get specific on your lids. Youngblood’s Mineral Radiance in Sundance is the perfect bronzer ““ combining four shades of warm peaches to give the ultimate glow. www.ybskin.com

If shimmer drives you crazy, you will snap up the matte blushes from Lauress. Aptly named Simply Matte, there are an astonishing 29 shades to choose from, sure to compliment any skintone, and the silky feel will make it a daily staple. www.lauress.com

So you’re in love with the idea of loose mineral shadows, but the mess drives you nuts! glominerals has your solution ““ gloEye shadow trios are perfectly matched to give you your entire look all in one compact. One of our favorites is Posh which has a nude ivory, shimmery brown, and shimmery pink to give you a look that’s great for every day. www.glominerals.com

So you’re in love with the idea of loose mineral shadows, but the mess drives you nuts! has your solution ““ are perfectly matched to give you your entire look all in one compact. One of our favorites is which has a nude ivory, shimmery brown, and shimmery pink to give you a look that’s great for every day.

Kissy Face Cheek Souffle

Fiesta Eye Souffle

All mineral girls know that pressed powders are tough to find but creamy formulas are near impossible! Well, we found one, and it not only comes for cheeks but eyes too! They’re called Whipped Cheek Souffles and Eye Souffles from a company called Twisted Fayte and you are going to LOVE them. They feel like chocolate mousse and come in all sorts of fun colors. The Souffles stay all day, don’t crease, and give a pearly gleam that brightens any face. www.twistedfayte.com

If you have a sensitivity to liquid eyeliners but love the staying power, count your lucky stars for jane iredale. Her new Liquid Eyeliners are available in Black, Black/Brown, and Gold, stay put, and won’t irritate the eye. www.janeiredale.com

If you have a sensitivity to liquid eyeliners but love the staying power, count your lucky stars for. Her new are available in Black, Black/Brown, and Gold, stay put, and won’t irritate the eye. For the ultimate gentle mascara La Bella Donna is the ticket. The formula is water-resistant, a great deep black/brown shade, and won’t hurt the most sensitive little peepers. www.labelladonna.com

Lip gloss is something we can’t live without but a lot of the mineral formulas tend to be a little too frosty. Bare Escentuals hit the right balance with the combination of sheer, neutral colors with a hit of shimmer. www.sephora.com

Want a little more bang to your lip product? Therapy Systems has a new mineral line and their Lip Glaze from the Champagne Platinum Collection is seriously the perfect shade for everyone ““ it’s kind of eerie. It gives fair skin a soft rosy mouth and deeper skintones get a soft natural shade because of the brown base. www.therapysystems.com

And that’s only the beginning! Put on your miners hat and search the market for the products that suit your needs. Just remember to check the list of ingredients! Who knew geology could be so fun?!

Who doesn’t love the story of a wooden man who is suddenly transformed to have emotions and then takes a girl on a fun-filled vacation? Though the girl happens to be 12 (don’t worry, no funny business) and her Prince spends most of his days chomping on pecans, The Nutcracker is a lovely story and serves as the inspiration for this year’s Makeup Gift Guide:

Starting off, there’s Clara Stahlbaum (the aforementioned 12 year old) whose family is having a party and she has to look the part. Mally Beauty’s Holiday Party Color Collection is ideal for our young heroine as Mally walks you through the best ways to apply the two lipsticks (a sheer red and goldy pink), two eyeshadows (a shimmery brown and sheer gold), and two blushes (red and pink) to create a soirée-ready face. Clara could even use the metallic red clutch as her purse at the party! www.qvc.com

Once she’s at the gathering, it’s time to mix and mingle and Lorac’s Social Butterfly is perfect for Clara’s touchups. With six eyeshadows (ranging from neutral to deep), rose blush, gold luminizing powder, and mauve lip polish, Clara will be ready for her close-up. www.amazon.com

Clara’s Godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, joins the group with his handmade dolls that bend and twist all on their own in their striped clown costumes. Chances are good that he used Aveda’s Lip Tints in Rose Swirl and Garneta Swirl to keep their tiny puckers looking perfectly painted. The lip balms blend orange, spearmint, and pomegranate for a tasty finish.

Then the party ends and Clara falls asleep. Next, clothed in military garb, is the Nutcracker Prince himself as he leaps through the air, freed from the confines of wooden legs. Clara’s a girl and this is a guy she likes ““ so she’s going to shimmer her face up! Estee Lauder’s Brilliant Shimmer gives her cheekbones some sheen with its gold and platinum powders but keeps it classy.

A huge mouse comes out of the woodwork and threatens Clara’s life, but the Nutcracker Prince pulls through in a pinch and overthrows him. It would have been easier if she just had a cat! (just bear with me here). Stila’s Perfectly Kitten set includes Kitten Eyeshadow (silvery champagne pink), Kitten It Gloss, and All Over Shimmer #6 (pinky gold) and would stop anyone in their tracks. It gives a new meaning to the game of cat and mouse.

Once past the danger, the Prince takes Clara on a boat through the Land of Snow and Lancome‘s silver and blue shades in their Color Design Holiday Palette in Diamond match the various shades of sky and snow as the Swarovski jewels shine like icicles.

Next he takes her to the Land of the Sweets where she is surrounded by all sorts of desserts (my kind of place). They must all wear pieces of The Baked Beauties Collection from Laura Geller in such a food oriented location. The set includes blush (Golden Apricot), bronzer, eyeshadow (blended neutrals) that all start as liquids and then are baked in ovens for an individual powder finish. Mascara, lipstick, and foundation primer are also included. www.sephora.com

Then they meet the girl with the coolest tutu of the group, the Sugar Plum Fairy. SPF, as her friends affectionately call her, does not mess around when it comes to the looks department and the 8 eyeshadows, gold eyeliner, mini peach cheek stain, and gold and pink lipgloss duo in tarte’s All That Glitters set gets toted around in the included gold clutch.

SPF likes to enlighten her visitors with an international type flavor so she first invites the Spanish dancers to perform their hot chocolate dance. Guaranteed that they were wearing Clinique’s Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad in Pink Chocolate with its vanilla, rose, semi-sweet, and milk chocolate shades.

Next comes the Arabian contingency and coffee is their selling point. Mocha eyes are all the rage with the exotic Arabians and Makeup Forever’s Essential Eyes not only gives you all the colors you need (3 pressed shadows, 2 loose, 1 black eyeliner) but also gives you a DVD so you can do a good smoky eye, and not look like you got hit. It’s an amazing tool! www.amazon.com

The Chinese Mandarin Tea dance is next and who doesn’t love a box of Chinese tea or takeout? Yellow Box Beauty gives another “box” option and is the perfect gift for makeup junkies. Choose the three, six, or twelve month options and receive a box full of the latest and greatest trends in cosmetics. Our box was full of Besame Cosmetics ““ eyeliner, lipglaze, lipstick, and eyeshadow (the cosmetic company changes every month) ““ all in a yellow box with a black satin ribbon.

And who doesn’t remember Mother Ginger (or Madame Bonbonaire depending on where you’re from) with her huge skirt that all of her children disappeared under? MAC’s Holiday/Formal Black Fishnet 6 Warm Lip palette gives a hint of Ginger’s sassiness! With four lipsticks (nude, brown, pink, and coral) and two lipglosses (apricot and gold) you’re sure to give her a run for her money with her honey colored lips. Hey, she did something right to get all those kids.

Next come the soulful Russians who, we all know, have great eyebrows. Anastasia’s Incredible Browser will keep yours looking just as good with two brow powders, tinted brow gel, two cream shadows, and a peach lipgloss. You can go as natural or dramatic as you want! www.sephora.com

Then the various buds and blooms gather for the Waltz of the Flowers. All sorts of shades join together as do the colors in Bare Escentuals’ iQuad I with its yellow gold, silver, green, and golden brown shades. Used dry for a soft shimmer or wet for intensity, all are kept in a travel friendly palette with a brush a mirror. www.sephora.com

Now, the Sugar Plum Fairy gets her moment with the Nutcracker (or the Cavalier if you’re a Balanchine fan) and I am positive that she keep Scott Barnes’ Glamour To Go in Stunning in her bag with her pointe shoes. The four shadows (grey, copper, mauve, and white) work with the four lipshades (subtle to vibrant pinks) and the neutral pinks give her a rosy glow. A great feature of this palette is that the components fold in to one another so your blush brush isn’t going to infiltrate your lip gloss and get them smushed together.

At last Clara returns home and awakens to find it has all been a dream. Isn’t it always the way? But lo and behold, tucked under her arm is the Professional Brush Set from Jane Iredale ““ SPF has hooked Clara up so she can work out all of the “dreamland” looks at home ““ who needs the Nutcracker?! With 18 brushes (everything from foundation to shadow to blush) she has all she fixings to make her dreams a reality!

Moral of the story, give your girls good gifts because sometimes lipstick stays longer than a boy.

Have an AMAZING holiday!!

You may think that the best way to light up the holidays is with Chevy Chase style accoutrement on your outdoor shrubbery but there’s a better, and easier, way. Liparazzi’s Lip Gloss has a mirror on the side of the tube, and teeny little lights strategically placed under the cap. Click them on whenever your pucker needs a retouch ““ and with all of the eggnog you’ll be sucking down it’s a good thing that the lights last for like thousands of clicks. With five shades (ranging from sheer nude to ravishing red) there is a color to suit every skintone and every event. And hey, worst case scenario, you can navigate your way home in the dark after a holiday office-party where you have, unfortunately, let your hair down a little too much; if you know what I mean.

Have you ever been in a barn? Then you know that they are in need of some serious “fragrance alteration.” And since the holidays are upon us, my mind turned to Santa’s reindeer ““ cooped up in stalls until Christmas Eve ““ they would all probably enjoy a scented candle or two.

You know Dasher? We all do ““ Dasher gets around. This is because Dasher is the “speediest”* reindeer of the group so he doesn’t have time to sit for 3-4 hours to let a candle burn properly. Tocca’s new Candele da Viaggio Set has four travel-size candles in some of Tocca’s best selling fragrances: Cleopatra, Grace, Havana and Kyoto. Dasher can burn one for an hour and be off to the next event!

Dancer is the lead lady reindeer and she is known for being the graceful one in the bunch. Vie Luxe’s Tuileries is the perfect candle for a woman of such refinement with its natural beeswax base of white tuberose, jasmine, lavender, and rose. The nickel finished glass holder will look great next to her bucket of feed.

Despite the name sounding a bit “light”, Prancer is known as the powerhouse reindeer and he is the one to get the job done. Bleubay’s Revive #41 has plenty of get-up-and-go with its peppermint, lavender, and lime essential oils which are guaranteed to get Prancer off his tookas.

Ah Vixen, you charmer you. Famous for her beauty throughout the North Pole, Vixen has a man in every port and as a result is the recipient of numerous love notes. Letters is a line of soy candles that was inspired by old love letters discovered in a Victorian attic in the Northeast. Green Tea Leaves is a blend of green tea and Asian flowers that takes Vixen back in her mind to her Japanese lover.

Wonder and happiness are brought to all by Comet and nothing does that better than chocolate. The Thymes new Au Chocolat Collection has three offerings for the distinguished palette (Comet is a fancy dude) of Chocolat Saffron, Chocolat Ginger, and Chocolat Mandarin which are sure to make the kiddies of all ages excited for more.

With love in her heart Cupid is a perfect fit for Slatkin’s new Red Tea Candle with its warm fruity blend of tea, cassis, grapefruit, plum, and rhubarb. The clear glass holders allow a lot of light to come through and the aroma fills her stall better than most candles!

Being the father of a very certain celeb reindeer is probably what he’s most well known for, but Donner is also the “thunder” of the eight. Agraria’s Tuscan Orange & Wild Mint Crystal Cane Candle, exclusive to Bergdorf Goodman, is one of the most masculine, clean candles I have ever smelled (it smells like my dad!) and would be perfect for a manly man like Donner. Also at Bergdorf Goodman stores and www.bergdorfgoodman.com.

Blitzen is the lighting to compliment Donner’s thunder and By Terry has created an amazing new scent called Rouge Infernal. With its smoky floral base of red rose, silex powder, and dry wood it appeals to the more masculine side of Blitzen and keeps the fires going – literally.

You may or may not be familiar with Olive, “the other reindeer” from the 1999 movie** (“all of the other reindeer“ ““ get it?), but being a tiny little dog, she can’t really handle a huge candle so er’go’s Travel Tins are the perfect size for her petite nose. Orchard Spice is made up of oranges, apples, cloves, and cinnamon ““ yum!

www.ergocandle.com

But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolf with his nose so bright doesn’t really need a candle for late night reading but Acqua di Parma’s Limited Edition Fruit and Flower Three Tier Tower Candle will make up for all of his childhood angst. Silver Berries (orange and sandalwood), Red Berries (woody), and Gold Berries (holiday) make a lovely trio to keep him warm up in the snow.

*Reindeer “facts” from www.wikipedia.org
** Olive picture from www.amazon.com

Since November is the month of Thanksgiving I wanted to let you know which products I have recently been most grateful for. Here are the goodies I’ve been grabbing for again and again as of late ““ in no particular order.

If you don’t do anything else but wear a concealor, Alison Raffaele’s True Concealor makes it simple. The formula is thin enough to blend easily but thick enough to get the job done, and the colors match nearly everyone. And that little wand? ““ two swipes, blend, and you’re finished. www.trueconcealor.com

For picture perfect skin ““ and your children are going to be looking at those holiday photos years from now ““ try Kevyn Aucoin’s new Liquid Airbrush. It’s the first liquid foundation from the line and the finish of the soy-based formula is unbelievable! It hides flaws while still looking like your skin ““ imagine! www.kevynaucoin.com

Now, I know it might sound a little vain, but I love a good long lash, and sometimes mine just don’t measure up. The BEST fake eyelashes I have found are Ardell Duralash Knot Free Naturals Flare Individual Lashes (VERY important that you get Knot Free because the other ones look like there are little ants camping out on your lashline). They are practically imperceptible and come in mini, short, medium, and long ““ I like to go crazy and do minis on the inner eye, move to short at the middle and pop some mediums at the outer corner ““ have fun! www.ballbeauty.com

Oh man, if you’re a lipbalm girl hold on to your knickers! The long-loved Rosebud Salve has gone minty! Their new Minted Rose Lip Balm is honestly so yummy you’ll want to just eat it, but resist, and let it sit on your lips and do some serious softening. www.sephora.com

I love pinched pink cheeks and Von Natur’s Solaris Cheek Color is not only vegan certified, but is the most lovely shade of bubblegum that gives a pop to any cheek’s apple. It has a slight shimmer and lends a “just came in from the cold” look without making you freeze! www.vonnatur.com

When you hear the word “Florida” images of scantily clad tanned women may enter your head. But if you get to the West Coast city of Naples the Ritz-Carlton shows a refined sense of ease ““ fully clothed! With their start to finish impeccable service and beautiful grounds, the Ritz-Carlton Naples is a welcome respite from the buzz of everyday life.

With a recent $22 million renovation having taken place each room is even better than before and the quality shows in every detail ““ from luxurious bedding, to plush furniture, to Bulgari toiletries, to chocolate covered strawberries in your room upon arrival. There are 450 rooms and every one has a view of the expansive beach off the Gulf of Mexico. Nearly all have a private balcony which gives a beautiful spot for morning coffee! My Club Level Room also had a flat screen TV in the bathroom (in addition to one in the bedroom) which lets you get clean and catch up on your shows.

If you’re not familiar with the Ritz-Carlton Club you MUST indulge at some point in your life. They serve (get ready!) breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, and late night coffee/dessert ““ it’s basically a never-ending supply of homemade treats that will have you planning your day around your meals. Also included are the service of a Club Level only concierge to help assist your every whim, complimentary cocktails, and use of a cozy library overlooking the gulf.

If you want to explore other dining options you have seven to choose from. One of many standouts is Artisans in the Dining Room. It holds the title of being Southwest Florida’s only AAA 5 Star Restaurant ““ but wait, there’s more! Aside from the amazing food, Artisans features local artwork as its décor. Each diner receives an art guide in their menu detailing the work and inviting them to purchase pieces. And we’re not talking typical hotel art here ““ every single piece was so special and unique. It’s an incredible way to support your local artists!

You probably wouldn’t plan on staying indoors all day in Florida and the Ritz doesn’t disappoint. Three miles of white sand beaches give ample opportunities to get sun, though you can grab a chaise lounge and umbrella Oceanside if you prefer the shade. If you want to do more than just swim parasailing, kayaking, and sailing are all other alternatives. Not a saltwater fan? Cross through the mangrove trees and find two pools (one for adults only!) and two whirlpools. To really do it up you can join the Cabana Club where you get two semi-covered lounges, fresh fruit, FIGI water, a butler (a butler for the pool!), robes, a flat panel TV with DVD player, internet, phone, magazines, and newspapers. Sign me up! For you sporty girls pop down for a game of tennis or take the shuttle to the neighboring Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort where you can play the 36-hole course, Tiberon, designed by Greg Norman. OR, hit up one of six shops to keep your calories burning ““ whatever workout makes more sense to you!

Splash Pool at the Spa

One spot you cannot miss is the Spa. Run by Michelle Kelthy, who has brought the latest ideas in treatment to fruition at the Ritz, the freestanding 51,000 square foot building encloses over 30 treatment rooms, a salon, conservatory, fitness center, outdoor mineral pool, and café. After a refreshing massage (which can be performed in an outdoor cabana on cooler days) I followed Michelle’s advice and did her steam room/cold pool/hot pool/warm pool regime a few times and felt my worries melt away. Just this summer the spa also began offering Prada Beauty skincare products and treatments as a part of their menu for face and body.

Traveling with the kiddies can sometimes make alone-time impossible, but Ritz Kids puts your mind at ease while your body is pampered. The kids play bocci and volleyball on the beach, snorkel, do arts and crafts, and go to cookouts. I found the caretakers to be warm, upbeat, and full of creativity. For a more “grown up” experience kids can be in the V.I.K. club, Very Important Kids, where they get their own key card, goody bag, a scavenger hunt, and puzzle among other fun treats.

Great food, a respect for local surroundings, and cozy rooms ““ what more could you ask for?
For more information go to www.ritzcarlton.com

I don’t know about you, but I think that we can all do better than an orange and a pack of gum in the old stockings come Christmas morning (or whatever holiday you choose to celebrate). Check out these “mini” options and get a little more creative than fruit this year with these pocket-sized products.
 

 
These tins are SO cute you’ll want to have them all! With their vintage look and tiny size, Tinte Cometics’ Flavored Lip Colors are great to pull out to snazz up your pucker. You can go soft and natural with Cream Soda (nude) or dramatic with Peppermint (a rich red) and the shea butter and vitamins keep you kissably soft. www.tintecometics.com (anyone remember having these when you were, oh…about 7?)
 

 
For credit card sized beauty check out Pixi’s Eye Beauty and Gloss Kits. The Miracle Eye Kit includes eight eyeshadows in nudes and pinks while the Perfect Nude Gloss Kit has honey, fudge, and bronze shades ““ skinny enough to slip in your pocket with no added bulk! www.pixibeauty.com
 

 

 To grab those teeny tiny hairs for perfect holiday party brows pick up Swittools’ Heart Tweezers. They’re about an inch wide and come with a magnifying mirror so you can check your face before you go and flirt with an elf. www.qvc.com, www.swittools.com

 

 
For the ultimate in plumping options search out Pout’s Indulge Me Forever set of their bestselling lip plumpers. Five colors ranging from berry to nude to clear will be great toppers to any lip shade you choose and the peppermint smell is very “come hither”. www.pout.co.uk
 

 
Not only does this keychain get your in touch with your inner bunny, but Playboy Beauty’s Gloss & Go has a pretty pink lipgloss that looks great on everyone. And the best part is that a portion of the proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. www.beauty.com, www.komen.org
 

 
The ultimate space savers this year are Hard Candy with their Secret Stash. Coming in at approximately 2x2x1, this little powerhouse is packed with four eyeshadows, bronzer, blotting powder, and four lip shades ““ nuts, I know! This will definitely fit in your 6×8 bag as you board the plane to the North Pole. www.hardcandy.com
 

There are year-round opportunities to give back to worthy causes that can keep you looking great on the outside and feeling great on the inside.

All year long 100 percent of proceeds of the Love Lisa Juicy Jewels Double Sided Liquid Lipstick and Gloss Wand go to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Love Lisa has a pink opal lipstick shade and clear gloss with white shimmer. www.toofaced.com, www.skincancer.org.

The same holds true for MAC whose Viva Glam campaign has grown by leaps and bounds. They hold six lipsticks and two tinted lipglasses in their arsenal on the fight against AIDS as 100 percent of the proceeds of any Viva Glam item goes towards the MAC AIDS Fund. With easily wearable colors and a great cause, it’s a no brainer. www.maccosmetics.com, www.macaidsfund.org.

*insert aveda pic*

Aveda’s line of Uruku Makeup includes ten lipsticks, three eye/lip liners, three cheek/lip crèmes, and four eye shades. The line gets its name from the Brazilian Yawanawa tribe who harvest the Uruku ““ a reddish-brown pigment from the urukum plam. The collaboration with Aveda has helped to foster the tribe’s economic independence and cultural survival. www.aveda.com.

L’Oreal is another line raising awareness with an entire collection, Color of Hope. Offering shades in lip, eye, and cheek as well as a shimmer, ten percent of proceeds of all lip products in the Color of Hope collection go to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund who L’Oreal has been partnering with since 1997. www.loreal.com, www.ocrf.org.

Benefit already has the lipgloss Big Magic 1 and is adding Big Magic 2 this fall. 100 percent of net proceeds of both glosses in Dusty Rose and Peek-A-Boo Pink are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters year-round. www.benefitcosmetics.com, www.bbbs.org.

Not Soap, Radio has really great lipglosses called Talk Smart — all named after famous anchorwomen– that are great for you or as a gift. Ten percent of proceeds from the entire line go towards 365 Birthdays a non-profit organization that throws birthdays parties for homeless, abused and at-risk children. www.notsoapradio.com.