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FIRST FOCUS FOR FALL- FACIAL CLEANSERS:  A shockingly high percentage of women don't bother to wash their makeup off at night!  Apart from the resulting smeared mess in the light of day, it's really bad practice to go to bed with uncleansed skin! Our first special focus this Fall is on facial cleansers.  There are products that suit every skin type, and budget.  If you're one of the women reluctant to wash in the evening, at least some of these products should entice you to change your ways!

We are huge Trish McEvoy fans, so we were enthusiastic about her new skincare line called Skin Solutions that she developed with her husband (a dermatologist).  When you Trish McEvoy's sophisticated makeup products, you now have a number of high-quality cleansers to remove them with,  too!  We liked the serene, white tubes with grey tops and simple black logo lettering but even better are the products, inside. Those with normal to dry skin will want the Gentle Cleansing Wash (vitamin enriched) $55.00 which contains good-for-your-skin vitamins to help minimze pores, redness and even skin tone, while making a quick and thorough job of cleansing. Gentle Cleansing Balm (moisture enriched) $55.00 is your choice if you want to whisk away dirt, oil and makeup, but still require a super-moisturizing product. This one contains grape seed and orange citrus oils and sunflower glycerin, so your skin feels clean and refreshed, but not "stripped." The final newbie in this trio is the Gentle Cleansing Lotion (soothing cleansing milk) $55.00. A dime sized amount of this rich, silky product is all you need. It's packed with good-for-your-skin botanicals and vitamins that protect, moisturize and ...oh yes.....do a great job of cleansing! These are not budget-priced, but you do get what you pay for!

The Cucumber Milk Facial Cleanser $19.00 by LATHER is really great to use, and if you've been out in the sun too long the past few months, this creamy and mild cleanser works particularly well with dry, mature and combination skin. We liked the non-scented, luxe feel of the cleanser, and appreciate the cucumber and sea algae ingredients that moisturize as they clean, help tighten pores and reduce sagging skin. Apply to wet face and rinse. It's that easy!

Peter Thomas Roth is skin and hair care line that we're reviewing for the first time in this column. We tried the Anti-Aging Cleansing Gel $30.00 an orange-colored, oil free gel that has glycolic and salicylic acids ,along with other good-for-your-skin ingredients to brighten, tighten, clarify and rejuvenate summer-weary and aging skin...and it's good for all skin types except for sensitive skin and is particularly good for skin that is dry or sun damaged and those with adult acne, so it's great for apres summer skin care it's pricey but a little goes a long way! Reviewers liked the way their skin looked reported that it cleansed thoroughly without drying out their skin.

Another interesting, high-quality, and highly effective cleanser is emerginC Multi-Fruit Cleanser $29.00. It has mixed fruit acids in a  soap-free, gentle, and very effective cleanser that is good for all skin types. It also helps to remove dead skin cells and other things you don't want on your face, without over-drying your skin. We liked the fact that you use in on dry skin and wash it off. Neat!  It is also unscented and quietly and quickly cleanses.. very, very, well.

If you want your skin to feel soft and glowy, give it a polish with Angels on Bare Skin $8.15 3.05 oz. by LUSH. This deep cleanser with exfoliant looks a bit like halvah, bit smells pleasantly herbal, and has a mix of kaolin clay and ground almonds to exfoliate, and glycerin and essential oils to balance, soothe, smooth and generally work wonders on summer-worn skin.  A little goes a long way (all you need is a dime-sized dollop). Another new cleaner from LUSH is Aquamarina $8.95 3.05 oz. This pink roll of soft product that smells faintly floral, and comes wrapped in seaweed. It's got calamine and aloe vera to soothe sunburned skin or irritated, sensitive skin. Aquamarina isn't an exfoliator like Angels but it also has kaolin clay to deep clean. Our skin felt clean, but soft, and it looked brighter, too!

We reviewed Sundäri Neem and Burdock Balancing Cream-Gel Cleanser $22.00 in our Winter 2004 column, as part of the Neem Starter Kit $46.00 featuring three travel-sized products. However,  if all you want is a great cleanser for normal/combination skin, it's available as a full sized 4.02 oz  tube. What's great about this particular cleanser is that it not only cleanses, but it adjusts to hydrate the drier patches on your face, while avoiding areas that don't need that much hydration. This is particularly important now, as your skin makes a transition from a summer environment to Fall. As last time, reviewers loved it

Scarlett Cosmetics Dispensary skincare is an easy-to-use line of skincare basics that we first  reviewed (and liked) in our Winter 2004 column.  We didn't review her Chamomile Facial Cleanser $24.00, however, so we're remedying that, now. The parti-pink gel looks soothing. It's an oil-free,  water-based cleanser good for all skin types that quickly removes dirt, environmental impurities and make-up.  Chamomile extract doesn't strip and dry skin,   it's PH balanced and therefore, your sebaceous glands (the ones that cause under the skin acne bumps) won't overact  so it's good for those with adult acne, too.   Your skin will feel pristine, not tight and dry.

Jack Black Clean Formula Face Bar $13.00 smells so minty and invigorating, it's likely to become a family favorite. A highly emollient  blend of rosemary, chamomile, peppermint, and glycerin extracts, coupled with mango butter,  65% purified olive, grape seed, and almond oils, quickly cleanse and moisturize without irritating your kin or drying it out. It's also fragrance-free, colorant-free and dermatologist tested. Better yet, this does double-duty as a shave soap!  It's a great choice for skin that's been baked in the sun too much, or that tends to dryness.

Biologique Recherche Cleansing Milk With Cellular Extract $27.50 5.1 oz. $45.00 8.5 oz is a gentle, high-tech cleansing milk that is particularly great for dry, dehydrated or mature skin.  It has a soft scent while it treats your skin, helping to revitalize it, and encourage skin regeneration.  *HINT: this also does double-duty as a makeup remover!  This products is a great little splurge that does a lot for your face!

Completely Bare is known for it's body waxing and other treatment services, but they also have an anti-oxidant face wash called Completely Clean  $32.00 that we'd like to suggest to you. We liked the light, citrus scent and the way it's soap free and cleanses gently without drying your skin.  Just so you know, it has green and white tea, Vitamins A,C,and E and a host of other  good-for-your-face ingredients to soothe, smooth, and combat signs of aging.  It's good for all skin types and,  it's all good!

Aura Science's skin care line is only available in mall stores in select states (at the moment) but we think both the skincare line and the makeup products are worth your consideration look. The skincare line comes in four types: Phase One (Dry) Phase Two (Normal/Dry), Phase Three (Normal/Oily) and Phase Four (Oily). The prices range from $12.00 - $25.00 so they're competitively priced.  We tried the Phase Three cleanser for normal to dry skin. It's mild and lightly scented and creamy, but contains a natural extract that helps  exfoliant. We loved the way it washes off quickly and thoroughly, leaving smoother, brighter looking skin.

Just because your skin is sensitive doesn't mean that you can't treat it right. Moore Unique Hydrate Facial & Body Wash $9.99 is tailor-made for sensitive skin & Eczema.This unisex line of shaving products developed by dermatologist Milton Moore, has recently expanded into a full line of hair and skin care cosmeceuticals. We love products that do double duty. This one is not only  a safe and gentle facial cleanser that you can share with your entire family, but you can all use it on your body in the shower or the tub, too. It's unscented, and leaves your skin feeling clean, fresh and not abused by harsh ingredients.

Finally, for those who still suffer from acne, even as an adult, help is on the way! Joey Pure Pores Cleansing Gel $23.00 contains Salicylic Acid to help rid your skin of acne and blackheads, while it gently removes excess impurities leaves skin feeling ultra-clean, fresh and balanced. We loved the light citrus scent and the fact that it's gentle enough to use every day while still fighting acne problems.

FACE FINDS & FOUNDATIONS FOR FALL:  If summer hasn't been too kind to your skin, or you've over-indulged sunbathing, you improve the appearance of your face with clever, new treatments and products that often do double-duty.   We've picked just a few in various price categories that we think address the most common skincare problems, especially dry skin, anti-aging issues, and blotchy, uneven skintones.  Some are quick fixes and others take some time to work, but all will set you out on the path to a healthier and/or better-looking complexion.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics kicks off our Fall review with a two-in-one of essential face beautifiers. Her new Creamy Concealer Kit $32.00  features a jar of loose powder and concealer in one palm-sized package. It's small enough to carry in purse or pocket, comes in 10 shades and lets you touch up any time, anywhere.  Flip up the logo'd top, and you'll find a generous circle of concealer that covers imperfections, without feeling greasy.  Flip open the base of the jar, and you'll find pressed powder to give you chic, matte coverage in an instant. This is simply the greatest for the girl on the go.

If anyone knows "What Works" and what doesn't, it has to be supermodel Lauren Hutton. She has developed her own makeup line for women called Good Stuff which is centered around easy to use, natural-looking cosmetics for women "of a certain age" Her No Shine Tinted Moisturizer With Sheer Concealer $30.00 can be layered, and comes in light, medium and dark to suit nearly everyone. We love this combo. The tinted moisturizer is an alternative to using foundation when you just want to even out skin tone. Better still, it hydrates with Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Chamomile, doesn't settle into wrinkles, and leaves skin feeling moist but not shiny or greasy.   Even better, the cap contains a great concealer so you can cover age spots, redness..whatever.  Lauren, you're an inspiration to women of every age, everywhere.

Anew by Avon has added newer and even more astounding products to it's anti-aging line over the years. Now there's Anew Clinical Deep Crease Concentrate $32.00 - a non-invasive, state-of-the-art skin product that relaxes and fills stubborn lines in your "expression zone" (the forehead, around the eyes and mouth).  The secret is "Bo-Hylurox™" which works like an at-home combo of Botox and Restylane (two expensive treatments only available in a doctor's office).  We can honestly report that the product did work immediately to soften the appearance of these hard-to-erase lines enough to want to continue using the product. The good news is that Avon claims that repeated improves the results, even more! Worth trying, and a whole lot cheaper, more safe, and less painful than Botox injections, too!

This is our first review of the large array of serious skincare products by G.M. Collin. These products are comprised primarily of botanical, biotechnological, and marine ingredients that target specific types of skin problems.  The company doesn't test on animals,   and all of their packaging and containers are recycled and/or recyclable. Native Collagen Gel $54.00 is soothing and hydrates dry, sensitive, fatigued and mature skin (but can be used for combination and oily skin, too).  Use it as a part of your regular skincare routine, but especially after sun or other weather exposure. It's not inexpensive, but it can definitely help restore your summer-parched skin -  a "spa in a bottle," for your face. *HINT:   apply this under other skin care creams twice a day as an intensive treatment, or just once a day for maintenance. We also tried (and liked) the Gentle, Intensive,   Exfoliating Gel $31.00 with it's gentle citrus scent that's good for all skin types. It has eucalyptus, juniper and other healthy natural ingredients to help refine skin texture and brighten it, too * HINT: this can be used as a weekly mask, too. Apply for 10 minutes, and remove.   Now you're talking deep toning (and two products for the price of one).  Use it to get the complexion you deserve!

Lycogel Camoflage $58.00 by Dermancia is a unique foundation with LYCD (live yeast cell derivatives) that allows the skin to breathe, even when covered with makeup. This is especially important for people with ultra-sensitive skin, who have undergone surgical procedures or a facial peel, as oxygen is what aids in the recovery process. The foundation comes in six shades. It's ultra-opaque, so a little goes a long way. It's pricey, but now that we've tried it we realize that the look of flawless skin is within our grasp. Stars like Jennifer Anniston, Charlize Theron, and Paula Abdul rely on it to be closeup-ready, even when their skin isn't looking so grand.  If you have to look good (eg. your face is red from facial treatment but you're called for a big interview, today.) you will want to use this product on hand, year-round.

Afterlfe $39.95 by LUSH was created with one of nature's own miracles, the mango (and other soothing, calming ingredients such as honey water and essential oils). It's incredibly moisturizing and soothing.  If too many late nights, not drinking enough water, and stress, has made your skin sad, dull and tired looking.let this effective moisturizer bring your skin back from the brink. Yes, you should start taking better care of yourself, but Afterlife is a  shortcut to looking good.

Eau Thermale Avène has a lightweight moisturizer designed for those with sensitive skin.   Avènue Cream for Intolerant Skin $22.00 is unscented, non- greasy, and we love how quickly it absorbs, gently giving it much needed nutrients. For a weekly treat for your sensitive skin, try the unscented, Soothing Moisture Mask $20.00. It's so easy to use. Gently pat it on, wait ten minutes and tissue off any excess with Eau Thermale  Avène Spring Water $13.00  10.5 oz. Just a mist or two and the mask is gone. Your skin feels hydrated and fresh.  HINT:  A spray of this spring water (with trace elements and silica) now and then throughout the day help to restore your skin's natural balance while is refreshes and moisturizes.  It's a skin treatment and a pick-me-up, any time!

Aveda is known for it's superb, natural products. They have recently come out with a new face collection that includes  Inner Light™ Liquid Foundation SPF 12, Inner Light™ Dual Foundation SPF 12, Inner Light™ Tinted Moisture SPF 15, Inner Light™ Concealer, Inner Light™ Pressed Powder and Inner Light™ Loose Powder.  These products contain actual bits of tourmaline and malachite (along with other great-for-your-face ingredients) that provide complexion-enhancing benefits and reflect light to minimize imperfections in your skin. Our favorite of the line is the Inner Light™ Liquid Foundation SPF 12 $20.50. This is a lightweight, semi-sheer foundation that you can layer a little, or a lot (so you get many different uses out of just one product). Better still, it has sun protection SPF 12 and comes in a dozen shades (so at least one will suit your skin).  We liked the way it smoothed on quickly and easily, dried immediately, and felt like we were wearing nothing at all.  If you like a m foundation with more substantial coverage, Inner Light™ Dual Foundation SPF 12 $20.50 is a great choice. It comes in 8 shades, has SPF 12, and can be used wet or dry for maximum versatility. For those who like a no-makeup look, but want the benefits of smoother-looking skin, serious sun protection, and moisturizer, will get all three with Inner Light™ Tinted Moisture SPF 15 $25.00. Reviewers raved about this sheer, oil-free product that comes in six shades and makes your skin look even better than bare, we unanimously agreed.   A bit of  Inner Light™ Concealer $15.00 can cover up what foundation can't completely mask, in six shades. For a final, finishing touch, try the new Inner Light™ Pressed Powder $19.00 and in three shades and Inner Light™ Loose Powder $19.00 in two shades , for a luminous, semi-matte finish over foundation or on bare faces. For a little splurge, spring for an Environmental Compact™ Total Face Compact $14.00 which holds one blush, two shadows and one new Inner Light Dual Foundation or Inner Light Pressed Powder. All of these Aveda products deliver more than they promise, and are worth every penny!

We're amazed at the number of modestly-priced but state-of-the-art skincare products Nivea continually brings to grateful faces, everywhere.  The newest is Nivea Visage Multiple Results™ All in One Anti-Aging Treatment $17.99 1.0z oz. The difference is that this is the first product devised to help boost your skin's Creatine Complex to fight signs of aging and improve the overall appearance of your skin. Creatine Complex is depleted in your kin,  over time causing dryness, roughness, wrinkles, uneven skin tone and enlarged pores. We didn't test the product for the minimum 2-3 weeks needed to see real results, but over time, based on our previous reviews of Nivea products, we're assuming that this skin treatment should reduce wrinkles, refine pores, improve skin tone, and make your skin generally more even and smooth. It's definitely worth trying.

Ramy Beauty Therapy is known for it's creamy and chic makeup products, but they have recently launched a skincare line. We decided to give their Youth! Firming Mask and Serum $40.00 a try. it looks like a golden-colored oil, but it's actually a  10-20-minute mask that   firms, tones, exfoliates, and helps to minimize the appearance of large pores. Pump it out and smooth it on, relax, and rinse.  Those of us who abused our skin all summer really thought it was a good mask, and liked the way our skin looked and felt. *HINT: drop a bit into your favorite moisturizer to boost it's firming action!

BLUSH AND SHIMMER:  The great thing about blush is that is can make you look and feel fresh, alive, new, even when you don't really feel that way.  Blush can divert attention from less than perfect skin or a funny-looking fading tan.  The right blush can make your sickly, stayed-out-too-late complexion come alive--at least until you wash it off. There's a color and a formula that works for everyone. We like the new formulas that start sheer, so you can layer it as you like it, and get a multitude of blush looks from just one product.  When it comes to blush, less is more, however.   Experiment with your new blush before you go out and see how it translates on your skin in different intensities.  You might add just one layer too many and go from looking great, to looking like you've developed a bad rash!

Delux Beauty keeps the shimmer going just a wee bit longer with a multi-tasking, gel-based highlighter called Glistener $18.00 that comes in  a tote-able tube. It gives skin a bit of a shimmer that you can wear alone, or mixed with your favorite moisturizer or foundation.  Five colors give you pretty and subtle effects.  We liked  "Pearl" which left a hint of silver, not high-wattage club kid glitter.  It dried quickly to a non-greasy, non-sticky shimmer that really lasts through an evening.

Two shades of Laura Mercier Créme Cheek Color $22.00 we can enthusiastically recommend are modern blushes of the highest quality, from the new, "Lady Luxe" collection. (see entire collection in the photo) They will perk up a fading, summer complexion with sheer, natural color that quickly blends into your skin, lasts a long time,  doesn't feel greasy and even contains Vitamins C and E (antioxidants) . Hold on to your tan a bit longer with "Riviera, a lovely medium-browned rose. Put roses into your cheeks with a blue-pink called  (what else?) "Bloom."

One regret I (Advice Sister Alison) have is that I never had the opportunity to meet or have my makeup done by genius makeup artist, Kevyn Aucoin. His untimely death a few years ago ended a brilliant career, but happily, his luxe line of cosmetics, endures. I tried the Creamy Moist Glow $24.00. It's an instant boost for any complexion.  It looks bright in the pot, but it's very sheer so you can really control just how much "glow" you want. Just a touch is all you need - great when you're rushed.   Hot pink "Liquifuchsia," actually looked amazing, even on my freckled skin, but  it's mean for cool complexions on which it will absolutely sizzle! There is also a soft pink and an apricot. All three of these will perk up a fading tan and enhance your complexion, year-round. Reviewers also liked the Sensual Skin Enhancer ($42) which covers and conceals like a charm, especially good if you have normal or combination/oily skin. Apply a tiny amount  with your finger or a sponge under the eyes; the creamy formula hides flaws and stays put. We liked the elegant burgundy and black container—style and utility in one tiny pot.

Purple lovers rejoice! Berries are back for Fall. A new and nifty example is Maybelline Brush Blush $5.51 in "You Mauve Me."  The blushes are great value and good quality. On this one, there's a glittery, pink overlay in a "plaid" pattern that is a nice touch --  a flattering way to perk up your Fall wardrobe. 

Benefit Hollywoodglo $22.00 looks like an old-fashioned peachy shimmer in a bottle, but it is much, much more than that. It's a new magic potion for less than perfect and dull or tired-looking complexions. A retro-style bottle with a curvy label featuring an old fashioned girl graphic. Inside, however, you'll find a modern, multi-purpose, sheer, light-reflecting liquid with just the tiniest hint of pigment. As a cheek highlighter,  it made us look warmer and more glowing (as though we were in love). As an all-over face makeup on bare, pale, skin, it made our complexions look better than bare, and radiant (and just a teeny bit deeper than pale).  Over foundation and on deeper complexions, it simply added another, more dynamic dimension as though our face was lit from within. That's a lot to expect from a little bottle of peachy shimmer, but it works, and it's great.

Giorgio Armani cosmetics are beautiful and sophisticated. There are dozens of blush colors to choose from, but we think Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush $36.00  "#8" is a winner for Fall. The burnt-apricot color can be layered for a little or a lot, It will help you save a dying tan, or just add a flattering glow to your complexion. The powder is ultra fine so it doesn't streak or look fake.  It stays true to color and lasts as long as you want it to!

We love multi-tasking products.  One to love this Fall from LORAC is Multiple Rush $20.00.  It's a cream to powder product that can be used for lips and cheeks. It's amazing! The chic, shiny black tube is approximately the size of a lipstick. Pull of the top and swivel up the stick.  On cheeks, it blends like silk into a perfect, smooth, believable, blush. Applied to our lips we had long-lasting, very  natural-looking color. "Crush Rush" is a wamn rose that looks fantastic on nearly everyone. "Love Rush" is a slightly shimmery, light-as-air pink that brightens, enhances and highlights wherever you put it.  This is just  the niftiest new product -- you'll want to take with you everywhere.

We wondered what kind of blush we'd create when we first spied the vibrant colors of Pixie's  Sheer Cheek Gel $20.00 in the clear tube. Not to have worried! We tried "Rosy," a bright-as-a-Valentine red blush, that looked a bit daunting in the tube, but immediately blended on our cheeks to a sheer, very pretty and natural-looking pink. Six glowing, shimmery colors will leave you breathlessly beautiful and glowing. They are so sheer that you can't make a mistake. If you want more color, just layer. It's that easy!

Trish McEvoy Blush $19.00 is always subtle and believable, even when the colors are deep and rich. Case in point is "Pinched," a romantic berry that salvages a fading tan now, perks up deeper but pale complexions, later on in the season. On palefaces, it's looks just a little bit "70's disco -fun!

Victorias Secret has a limited edition blush that is perfect for now into the cooler months. Pretty Please Mosaic Blushing Powder $17.50 comes in a cute, slim, black matte compact with plum and pink floral graphics on the cover, and a generously  sized mirror inside. The blush itself is comprised of five different colors of pink, bronze and plum that are organized in rows of different sizes. They reminded us of the rings of Saturn or the face of Mars, but there is nothing other-wordly about the results. Blended together, you get a universally flattering warm pink that looks sheer and natural.  The slim, black compact with plum-colored floral design on the top, and a great mirror, inside, is a plus.   The color is bright enough to perk up a fading tan, not so over-the-top that palefaces look "painted."  Run to get one by summer's end, before they're gone!

Talk about the sexy and very talented Jessica Simpson is on everyone's lips these days (and possibly more than a few wishful minds, too).  Her new line of deliciously-scented products called Dessert Beauty is nothing short of yummy and she has scented cosmetics, too. Dessert Beauty Blushing Cream $19.00 is a super-sheer blush that is scented so it smells as good as it looks! We loved "Creamy,"a light peachy-pink shimmer that smells like French vanilla bean and buttery caramel. *HINT: these double as eye shimmer, too.   'Dreamy" is a light-caramel-colored blush that adds very little color, but perhaps just enough to even out a blotchy end-of-summer complexion. It smells a bit like a combo of milk chocolate and coconut. "Juicy" is a sheer, strawberry that put just a hint of brightness in your cheeks  and smells a bit like a fruity combo of strawberries and raspberries.  This is serious makeup, not "kiddie cream." The blushes are really pretty and the scents are fun to wear, especially if you're layering head-to-toe with other Dessert Beauty Products in the three premier scents: "Dreamy, Creamy and Juicy."  They're really fun to wear *see our fragrance review.

We can't promise that you'll spend the night in carnal delight when you wear Ramy Beauty Therapy Face Gloss in a sheer, luxurious raspberry called, "Casual Sex" but we can promise that you'll get some attention. This  berried shade looks best on cool complexions, but on palefaces the look is retro 70's (think "Charlies Angels, the TV series not the movies). The packaging is cute - a thin, square compact with an amazingly nice mirror for it's tiny size which won't take up much room in your evening bag. A little of this product goes a long way, so it'll last you through the Fall and into the holidays. *HINT: if you want to tone down the glow of  "dewy" products, dust a bit of loose powder over then. The color will last longer, too.

The Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush Duo $8.99 gives you two blushes formulas in one compact - shimmer and matte.  You can blend them together or wear them solo, so you're getting lots of blush options for your money. We tried "Brighten My Day," a shimmery pink and rusted rose matte duo that are sheer enough to work on pale skin, and can be layered to perfection to perk up ever deep complexions. The blush smoothed on easily and quickly, and stayed put! There's even a little mirror and a chunky sponge applicator in the compact!

If you're on a limited budget and/or you just want to increase the options in your makeup collection, you'll want to know about Cover Girl Cheekers Blush $3.15. These are so inexpensive that you can afford to buy several, and experiment with a wide variety of looks and colors. One swipe across the apple of our cheeks and we had a soft luscious glow that lasted all day long!   "Apricot," Guava," and "Honey Rose" are all limited editions from the Pink Reincarnated collection. They'll work with every skin tone and fit perfectly with your fall wardrobe.

EYES: Eyes make a comeback for Fall, and the good news is new formulas and great products that work beautifully, whether you want a   splurge, or a steal.  GREEN is the color du jour, followed by earthtones and plums.  We also love the new super shimmers  that you can layer sheer and pearly by day, intense and glittery by night.  This is also a good time to think about replacing your mascara. These tend to collect bacteria, and need to be replaced every few months.  If yours have been sitting around since Spring, you have a chance to indulge in some newest colors and formulas ever devised, on the market, now!

Aussie-born makeup artist Sue Devitt who created Sue Devitt Studio is wildly poplar with celebs like J-Lo, Liv Tyler and Hilary Duff (just to name a few). The colors are always gorgeous and the products are top-notch. A fabulously fun eye product to use day and evening this season is Starlights Clean Water Eye Shadow $22.00 a colored powder with clear liquid in a teardrop-shaped bottle that contains shimmery color that can be applied very sheer for just hint of color and shimmer, or intense for glam, retro 70's appeal. Four new shades are: "Isis," a shimmery Champagne, "Mira," an orangey-copper, "Leo," a soft yellow, and a corally-color called "Mimosa." All will compliment Fall fashions. We also like Sue Devitt Studio Eye Glides $18.00. These small vials contains a rollerball to distribute mega-shimmered colors to your eyelid. Apply with a light touch for day but take it way glam and ultra-shimmery for evening. Just roll, smudge, and you're ready for anything. There are six sexy shades but we liked the neutrals that can be worn alone or layered with each other. Our top picks are "Nara," a pearly pale pink, "Bambari," a soft beige, and "Kouri," a silvery, shimmery cream. A little goes a long way, so they'll last through the holidays.

Caboodles is marketed as a "teen" makeup line but don't let the kids have all the fun. We're adults, and we love these inexpensive, clever products in adorable packaging. Caboodles Double-Ended Mascara $5.99 comes with basic black on one end but a colored mascara on the other to wear over the base color. We tried "Electric" (blue), wearable and new. The more adventurous might try "Red Hot" (red) or silver, fuchsia, turquoise, or gold!

Beautiful Benefit Cosmetics comes out with innovative products every season that are fun to use and packaged in adorable containers with clever "theme" names. This season Benefit are all about intrigue, aptly name the Black Orchid collection. Powder Eye Shadow Duos $18.00 feature adorable, chubby, rounded. shiny, black pots with with little mirrors inside and a lid featuring a black orchid image under a "dome" of lucite (see photo). Inside are subtle, orchid-inspired colors perfect for Fall. "Fate Made Me Do It" is a pearly lavender matched with a pearly granite (great for smoky eye or liner). "I Pretended Not To Notice" is a very light (almost ivory) lilac paired with a deep  taupe-y-plum. "It Was The Perfect Alibi" is a Highlighting Cream Duo $18.00 of super-pearly, sheer creams that actually last and do double-duty as highlighter, eye shadow and cheek enhancer. You get a  super-shimmery golden-toned alabaster and light-as-air-peachy-pink that look great on everyone, especially on cheeks.

The newest for eyes from Rimmel hitting store this September are a joy for the budget-minded fashionista who needs "good and chic" for not a lot of moola.  If you've always wanted long flirty lashes, you'll get them with Volum' Eyes $5.00. The mascara creates long, full lashes that resist flaking, so you can flutter all you want with great results. We also like  the new, Extreme Definition Two Tone Eye Liners $4.00   A super-soft formula has moisturizers and skin conditioners. Better still, each liner has two different colors.  "Vamp" is a yummy brown and pink gold combo, "Rock Chick" is lavender and purple, and "Party Girl "delivers light and dark blues for your eyes. You can layer the colors, line one or both lids, or blend for an in-a-pinch, shadow. These liners won't quickly fade,  either. Rimmel, rocks! 

Space is the inspiration for Shu Uemura's Fall, Future Mode Collection. For eyes, silvery powder combines with color to create a silky, luxury shadow that glides over lids and stays put until you take it off . For Fall, there are four limited edition Pressed Eye Shadow $18.00 colors.  Two are  out-of-this-world:"#163 Asteroid Rose" (rich medium pink) and "#208 Asteroid Orange" (apricotty-orange). There's also "#625 Satellite Blue" (medium blue) and "#718 Satellite Purple" (medium lilac). *HINT:  These are intense shadows - a little goes a long way. The orange and pink are best for evening or as a colorful eye liner, but can also be worn by mere "Earthlings" by day, applied with a light touch!

Space is the inspiration for Rocket City, as well. This fun to use company has a great double-duty mascara called Fueled $18.00.   One one end is a mascara, the other, a coordinating, liquid liner! There are five fun combos (blue, green, purple, plum, bronze). Perfect for the Fall "green theme" is Nitrous, a rich emerald green mascara and emerald green liner.   The more conservative  will like "Octane," a dark brown mascara with bronze liner.This is a value. You get a full-sized liner and mascara for one price! Expand your eye options with an Alien Eyes Shadow Trio $17.00. The shadows are high-quality, long-lasting, and beautiful. Of ten trios, the newest is our favorite.  "Lost In Space" has three yellow-hued greens (light, medium, dark-with-gold-glitter) is a great update for Fall. A more conservative choice is "No Milky Way," a trio of two pearly taupes (light and medium) and a matte, chocolate brown.

Bat your lashes, cry at a wedding, go swimming—have no fear; your mascara will not budge if it's Cover Girl Waterproof Multiplying Mascara $5.50. It lengthened and separated like the expensive brands, without breaking our budget.  The non-waterproof version is nifty, too (just easier to wash off). Both of these are good choices for daily wear.

IN-FALL-ABLE LIPS:  You can never own too many lipsticks or lip glosses!!  A new color is the easiest way to change your look and your mood. The trend is away from super-sheer, glosses and towards lip products with a bit more coverage, and lots of shine.  News!   Lip liners are back in a big way, after being shunted aside for years.   The modern way to use then is to select a lip liner that contrasts with your lip color (e.g.,  a  brown liner with light nude or pink lipstick).  Another way to use liner is to select one the same color as your lip color and blend it   on your lips,  applying lipstick over it. This will help to keep your lipstick from "bleeding "but doesn't product a visible line.

Everything's coming up roses if you love Bourjois,  Pour La Vie Lipstick $14.00 (and who doesn't?) The is a semi-sheer "stain" that has a slightly fruity scent for truly sexy lips.  "Rose Leger Pour Poupées"is a pearly, sheer, light pink which will brighten up a fading complexion for palefaces. ""Violet Infini Pour Jolies" is a brighter (but sheer) mauve. For cool skinned women, Azalée Pour Fées" is a more vibrant, blue-tinted pink that will perk up a faded tan, instantly.  For high-wattage shine or shimmer, slick on a top coat of Effect 3DLip Gloss $15.00 in #7 "Europhic" (golden glitter and a hint of pearl) or "Transparent Oniric," (glossy clear shine). These are "wet look" but last and aren't sticky- glorious! Another new and fabulous lipstick hybrid from Bourjois is Rouge Pop Chic $15.00. These lip stains deliver high shine vinyl-look lips in nine new Fall-worthy shades of red, berry, brown, and rose (both clear and shimmer). Our dry, cracked lips were smoothed and covered with the silkiest, high-shine color imaginable.  Better still, these glosses don't "wander"  and we loved the vibrant colors. *HINT: if you love red, hurry to buy "Rouge so Red" before it is sold out. It will give you movie-star-from-the-40's, lips. For a ladylike look, try Rosé Chromé," a shimmery rose-apricot that is subtle and superb.

Lip gloss adds new life to any lip product.  A perfect example of a lip gloss that can stand on it's own or enhance another product is Super Shine Lip Gloss $14.00 by JUICY. "Angel"  is a pearly, semi-sheer, high-shine apricot with a hint of copper that looks great on everyone. The gloss feels silky, not sticky, and smells faintly like vanilla.  Lipstick traditionalists will love JUICY Lipstick $12.50, lipstick jazzed up with Vitamin E. We liked the long lasting consistency and the literally dozens of incredible colors. Enhance a waning tan or just perk up your lip look for Fall with the rich, rusty-rose colored "Lucky" (for warm complexions), and "Island"  a classic, bright red for cool complexions.

Sometimes we review a product that really makes us sit up and take notice. Maybelline Wet Shine Liquid $6.75 wins points for style, wearability and value.  This semi-sheer, glossy "stain" doesn't have the "diamond" sparkle that Maybelline has popularlized of late, but the clear color makes for high shine, sexy, non-sticky,  lips.  We tried   the subtle, browned, "Toasted Rose" which flatters virtually everyone. There's also a berry, and a beige..and we hope there will be more colors added in future seasons.

With lip liners making a comeback this season, we're happy to suggest a really good one: Clarins Long Lasting Retractable Lip Definer $22.00. It comes in a metallic, red casing that swivels up (or down), so it fits into a smallish makeup bag) and has a built-in sharpener so that the line is always precise.  The super-soft, non-drying liner can be blended for a no-line effect, or used as a dramatic counterpoint to a sheer or semi-opaque lipstick. #05 "Deep Plum" will look great with all your mauves, plums and (for a new way to wear liner) UNmatch colors and wear it with beige or brown.  #12 "Dark Chocolate" will make browns and beiges modern again, or be daring and wear it with a contrasting color like a medium pink or   luxe lipstick such as Clarins Le Rouge Sheer Lipstick $21.00 in  #34, a seasonless, shimmery, mega-silky, sheer-as-a-whisper rose-apricot that will make your lips literally glow with sex appeal.

As we just said, lip liners are back! You can get them in all price points. To be sure, there are some inexpensive brands that do the job very well, but with liners, the "you get what you pay for" addage usually holds true.  The Lip Liner Pencil $15.50 by Shiseido is a moderate expense that will pay dividends in terms of creating a modern, chic lip look where the line stays true to color and doesn't wander (the problem with lip liners, in general). "Soft Sepia" is a warm rust that gives sophistication to rusty-brown and red lipsticks. $14 "Brown Profound" is a deep, chocolate brown that will flatter earthtoned lip products including the fabulous Shiseido Perfecting Lipstick $20.00 that comes in 16 shades and creates a vibrant, light-reflecting, full-color mouth that is moisturizing and long lasting.  A new one for Fall that will particularly flatter your (fading?)t tan and all deeper complexions is "#P14 Crushed Velvet"  a rich, deep brown. For those who like a lighter touch or who have pale complexions,  try the dark liner with rich, rosed-brown "#P15 Autumn Roses" for a modern look.

The high shine, opaque stain-gloss bandwagon is in full swing.  Pixie's Fluid Lip Creme $20.00 is one of the best. It comes in six pretty shades from nude to berry, in a teardrop-shaped tube with brush that not only covers lips with strong, vinyl like color and shine, but also does double-duty as a lip treatment with beeswax and shea butter and fresh, mint oil. The colors are universally flattering and last nicely.We tried #2 "London," a gorgeous rose.  If you like the super-shine/strong color trend, this is definitely a product you'll want to add to your lip wardrobe.

Your lips can be bright and soft at the same time, with Sonia Kashuks Sheer Vibrancy Lip Glosses $5.99. These brand-new, sheer lip glosses (in tubes with brushes) have a light-reflecting formula that provides high shine and a punch of bright color that looks translucent, not "obvious. Since they're sheer as well as bright, they look great on everyone." The gloss is   great, too. It's feels silky and moisturizing, never sticky.  "Currant Event," is a bright rose, and "First Date," a sheer Pink. Both will flatter you-guaranteed! For more creamy coverage and all-in-one convenience, the Sonia Kashuk Lip Palette $14.99 is a steal. A generously-sized lip balm, and six shades in pinks, roses,  red, berry, and plum come in a nice, mirrored compact. You even get a decent lip brush to apply everything!

Avon has a knack for creating innovative products. New and notable is My Lip Miracle $8.00. Inside an elegant, metallic blue case is a lipstick that shines, colors, moisturizes, and last...all in one little tube. This next-generation, long wear formula has jojoba for moisture, silicone beads for gloss, and long-wearing pigments that last, but don't dry out your lips. For just a few dollars, this is a miracle!

For Fall, Lip Gloss $19.00 from Trish McEvoy comes in five feminine, fruity-scented, limited edition pink shades that will go with everything you wear. For a bright, bold, shiny, raspberry pout, slick on "Sparkling Blush." It looks glittery in the tube, but on the lips it just shimmers, beautifully. "Deep Rosette" gives you deep rose, "Sheer Plum," a berried mauve,  and "Sienna" a rich rusty-red," sans shimmer but with semi-sheer color and high shine.  "Shimmer Rose" is   our favorite - a bright, medium pink with just a hint of shimmer and lots of shine, which looks great on literally, everyone. 

Joey New York Collagen Boosting Lipstick $18.00 plumps less than perfect lips while it colors and smoothes them will collagen boosting ingredients. This is our first review of Joey New York. We were impressed , not only by the quality of the lipstick and the chic, matte black case.  If you want full, kissable lips with colors that last, this is not a splurge, it's a necessity! "Pamper," a rich, rosy mauve looked great on nearly everyone who tried it. There are more than a dozen colors in the pink and rose family that will be wonderful for Fall and into the Winter. Get one!

We love lip kits for their flexibility, portability, and just because we never know what color we feel like wearing at any one time.  Prestige Beauty Bar Lip Color $5.95 is a quad of cool colors   in a great looking, clear compact with mini-bush (reminiscent of some luxe brands). These are not the sheers of summer, they're full-color lipsticks with a super-silky feel. One we love for Fall is "Cafe Society," a palette of shimmery earthtones ranging from a ladylike pearly beige, to a shimmery chocolate brown. "Red Carpet" is also lovely - a warm red, a medium rose, and a rusted-berry coupled with a shiny pearl to change  the intensity and easily change the look. For evening and all-out elegance, Apt. 5 Lipshine Wand $6.50 in "LG-18" is a seriously intense, cherry red that slicks on like vinyl and lasts an impressively long time, giving off a subtle vanilla scent as well. There are 18 other shades if deep red doesn't work for you.

At first glance, LORAC Lip Polish $17.50 could easily be mistaken for a mini-sized nail polish.  Don't be fooled!  The container may be the same, but brush the high-shine, vinyl-look lip product on your lips!  "Delicious" is a medium mauve shimmer that coats lips with shimmery shine and color and lasted nearly through dinner.  We loved the subtle vanilla and mint scent, too. This is a great way to feel sexy all the time, without making it too obvious...but we bet that your special someone will invent excuses to keep kissing you!

Giorgio Armani Lipstick Mania $22.50 debuted last column to rave reviews. These high quality, high fashion lipsticks are creamy, moisturizing, full coverage vibrant color, and long-lasting. Armani sent us just one to review this Fall but it's a doozey - "#16" is a sensuous, shimmery copper that looked gorgeous on virtually everyone.  This color is the perfect companion to a fading tan, or to mirror the coppers, rusts and auburns popular in your Fall wardrobe. 

Sonia Kashuk's  Special Edition Lip Gloss Palette $12.00 contains six generous squares of sexy, shiny lip gloss colors, one very generously-sized clear gloss, and a decent lip brush,  in a mirrored compact. The colors run the gamut - red, mauve, pink, berry, brown so there's something for everyone. The colors are vibrant, current, and mirror the lipstain trend everyone's touting this season. If you want a lot of color for just a few dollars, this is a good choice.  We also liked Sonia Kashuk Luxury Lip Color $5.99 a creamy, silky-feeling lipstick in "Geisha," a rich deep slightly warmed-red that will flatter a fading tan, enhance deeper complexions, and provide lip drama for palefaces, for evening.

mark  has it's review debut in our  Winter 2003 column. Reviewers continue to love this line that is marketed to the young, embraced by all ages for it's clever packaging, cute color palettes, and (most of all) the amazingly inexpensive price tags. We think that mark just keeps getting better and better! Juice Gems Lip Gloss $6.00 gives lips an unscented, silky (not sticky) high-shine and super-sheer hint of color in a squeeze tube that distributes the gloss evenly thanks to a flocked (soft and felt-y)  *HINT:  It also has real fruit extracts to help moisturize your lips and keep them soft (important as the weather gets colder and indoor air tends to dry out). There are five yummy looking shades (pinks, plums, berries,etc), but our favorite is  "Juicy Pomegranate," a cheery, candy-colored pink that slicks on nearly clear.

Stila's contribution to lips this Fall are three, limited edition Lipsticks $16.50 each that coordinate with the new, "Fiercely Feminine" Cheek and eye Palettes, also reviewed in this column. "Dawn" is a a soft frosted pink champagne. "Ginger," is a rosy gold.  "Amber" is a sheer wine. The compacts are chic, burgundy cardboard that compliments the faux leather of the eye/cheek kits. These will update your makeup collection, perfectly.

Victorias Secret is known for sexy lingerie and fashion that are flirty, not slutty.  Ditto their philosophy when it comes to makeup.  Pretty Please Double-Ended Lip Gloss/Lip Liner $15.00 is a super-shimmery high-shine sheer gloss that reflects light with a hint of iridescence. The result is wet, full, sexy, inviting lips that broadcast "I'm kissable," but not "I'm cheap." Better yet, a coordinating lip liner is cleverly designed to be housed in the top of the tall, slim cap, so you can easily tote both. and re-apply without having to rummage awkwardly in your makeup bag. We tried limited edition "Socialite/Bon Bon," a stunning coppery wash of glossy shimmer, paired with a chocolate brown liner. We're not given to show off, but we have to report that head really turned. There are also limited edition  caramel, bisque, and chestnut combos. Run to Victorias Secret and stock up on these now before they're gone at summers' end.

Benefit Cosmetics takes a cue from the intrigue of old Hollywood in it's Black Orchid Collection for Fall. Lip Cream $18.00 is a very soft consistency (we suggest applying with lip brush and layering for more drama) and is  semi-opaque, super-shiny, highly pearled, and makes lips very sexy  "If Only I had Known" is a shimmery mauve and "It Was Just A Matter Of Time" is a shimmery mocha with just the merest hint of plum. Since you can add a little or a lot by layering, both colors looked smashing on everyone. *HINT:  use a touch of these as  check color, too. 

One reviewers fancifully described gloMinerals lip stick $15.00 as: "the Little Tube That Could." Packed with high-pigment minerals, antioxidants and sunscreen, it stayed creamy and vibrant for hours. Based in high-altitude, low-moisture Denver, this company knows how to keep the moisture coming. Thumbs up for Calypso (one of 26 colors)—the perfect sixties Twiggy pink that works well with a tan now, perks up your complexion come darker days.

Back in the good old days, we'd swivel up our waxy, clear, fruit-scented lipgloss whenever we wanted to feel special. Caboodles Lip Jelly $2.99 is the modern take on this girly treat. It's a squeeze tube of clear, fruit-scented and flavored gloss in yummy flavors such as: raspberry, cherry, strawberry-kiwi, pink lemonade, pina colada, berry, tangerine, and watermelon. Slick one over a favorite lip product and take a trip down memory lane. Better yet, give a tube to someone else, and make her day!

Another boon for the budget-minded is Rimmel Volume Boost Lipstick $5.00 which not only comes in chic colors, but also plumps lips - no Botox needed, and continues to improve them,  the longer you use it. We love the high-shine and a secret tingly ingredient that makes your lips ever so pouty. 'Screamer" just shouts 50's starlet. It's a deep rich red that'll work perfectly with vintage inspired looks.  Glide it on your lips and in a moment you'll be channeling Audrey or Marilyn. Va va va voom.

Borghese resurfaces in our reviews with Longevita Long Lasting Lipcolour & Liner $16.50, a boon to women everywhere who hate awkward fumbles with liner and lipstick. This dual-ended wand has a slimline lipstick on one end and a liner on the other. The lipstick is semi-matte that's rich in color , but still manages to be moist and last a long time. Better yet, it contains Vitamins A & E and other moisturizing ingredients to smooth fine lines, moisturize, and soften. The soft liner in a matching shade defines lips,  and also has moisturizing and softening benefits. This make beautiful lips better than bare! There are six shades and they're all warm, earthy and flattering. We loved "Cognac," a stunning, browned-peach, and "Pioretta," a rich rose.  There's also a pretty, shimmery berry, a deep red (great for deeper complexions) and   light, pearly mauve (for paler complexions). These will make a great edition to your lipstick collection!

Rocket City has always been one of our favorite brands for their cool colors, ultra-clever packaging based on space-related themes, and high-quality products. The Space Case RC27- Gold  $29.00 (see photo) is a perfect example - a light but lightweight, industrial -looking, matte silver compact with futuristic lettering. Press the button, and the compact automatically springs to life, unwrapping itself into an open position with a tabletop mirror! Inside are six, vanilla-scented lip colors in subtle sheers, opaques and metallic in pinks, mauves, berries and nudes (and a wow-gold-glittered clear gloss). Mix any or all together to create a nearly infinite number of lip looks. It is just fun to use (and a real conversation starter if you're single-and-looking).  Get several - the holidays are coming. *NOTE: there is also a Space Case R-67 $29.00 for eyes, with eight great matte and pearl shadows in light, medium and dark earthtones perfecto for Fall! If you prefer individual colors to kits,  Rocket City's Galactic Gloss $10.00 comes in adorable, bullet-shaped mini-tubes. We adore "Beam," a simply stunning, shimmery-sheer mauve that looks great on everyone as a gloss, and enhances all your other lip colors. The Take Me To Your Leader Lip Duo $14.00 in "Zimmer-Zommer" offers pink and berry slid gloss in a cute, little compact with mini lip brush. There's also a brand-new trio of light-reflecting,  slightly tingly, vanilla-scented, super-shiny squeeze-tube glosses   called: Cool Your Jets $24.00 that include a glorious, gold-glittered clear and a copper and a pink that look bright in the tubes, but nearly clear clear and shimmery on your lips. Wear these solo,  mix together, or use over other colors.

Fall Lips (continued)

If you're tired of sheer gloss and want a full-coverage lipstick that lasts, but won't try your lips, try Cover Girl Outlast SmoothWear Lip Color $7.99. We tested them hard - and the color really did last. When the shine starts to fade,  just whip out the overgloss and voila! moisture and even more shine, shine, shine. There are lots of beautiful colors to choose from, but we like Limited Edition "Mauve Rajah #949 and  Nomad Rose 948" from the "Pink Reincarnated" color collection, These flatter a fading tan, perk up a pale face, and take you into the holidays, beautifully. We also like Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick $4.99 for rich, moisturizing color plus  vitamins A and E.   There are five new shades. Perfect for palefaces are "Midnight Mauve" (mauve-medium pink shimmer) and "Rose Quartz" (frosty warm pink). We also like the authoritative "click" of the cap - the inside ridge clicks shut, to keep the cover on in our purses.

Shu Uemura's Lollishine Rouge $20.00.   It looks like an ordinary lipstick, until you apply it.  Then your body temperature activates a "thermo-active shine amplifier" and the result is a shimmery, light-reflecting, pearly, shimmery-sheer gloss that is silky, translucent, and eye-catching. Better yet,  Shu Uemura's "Aqua-Lock system" has all sorts of ingredients so that your lips stay soft and hydrated all day.  When you try this luxe lipstick you will be very, very impressed.  Some might say it's a splurge, but we say it's a must if you love great lip products  and want easy and gorgeous looking lip looks! Three colors to try for Fall include "915" a  pearly-shimmery shell pink, "919," a shimmery mauve-y-pink, and "964" a simmering, honeyed rose."  *HINT: these can be worn over other lipsticks but their advantage is creating light-catching, shimmery, sheer and subtle, lips.  If you want more color and "pearliness" apply with a heavier hand, or layer two colors together.

FABULOUS FALL FRAGRANCES:  If you're the type of person who feels one "signature scent" is best, take note: your body chemistry changes with the seasons, and even, your moods.  For that reason a fragrance that smells divine on you in the summertime might not smell so wonderful when the weather changes.  This is the perfect time to choose a new scent that suits the cooler weather and heavier fabrics you're wearing. Fruits and florals are still popular, but a newer trend is towards fragrances that you can mix and layer to form something different every time you wear it.  Also popular are scents that mix florals and citrus together in sophisticated, complex blends.  More herbal and tea-based scents are cropping up and they are often unisex. From budget-minded to luxe, new fragrances are everywhere. Try one!

Annick Goutal fragrances have A-list allure. Now that we've reviewed some, we definitely see why celebs like Madonna, power brokers like Hilary Clinton, and fashionistas from Tom Cruise to Gwynneth Paltrow prize these perfumes!  Le Jasmin $65.00 Eau de Toilette 1.07 oz. &   $90.00 Eau de Parfum  1.07 oz. a limited edition for Fall. It's a feminine floral with notes of jasmine sambac with spicy ginger and white magnolia. Jasmine fragrances can be heavy and granny-like, but this one is just the opposite.   It's heavenly!  Light  slightly spicy, and fresh.  We also tried a classic -  Eau d'Hadrien $65.00 Eau de Toilette 1.07 oz, $90.00 & Eau de Parfum  1.07.  This one is a light, citrussy, unisex blend of lemon, grapefruit, and cypress that doesn't overpower and is the choice of Sharon Stone, Leonardo Di Caprio, Elton John and Oprah, just to name a few. Les Nuits d'Hadrien $90.00 Eau de Parfum  1.07 oz spray,  is a new take on the classic Eau d'Hadrien. It's starts with Sicilian lemons, tangerine and green mandarin, but it's blended with musk, vanilla, patchouli, and amber so it's much spicier than it's classic cousin, but still retains a hint of citrus at drydown. Everyone (including the men) who tried it was entranced by this intoxicating, sexy, modern fragrance!  We also love Annick Goutal's refillable, signature, ribbed glass bottles with rounded, golden tops, and the way the names of the fragrances are printed in a royal-looking ivory and gold paper tag, and  tied (not stamped) on the bottles.

Susanne Lang believes that no two people are alike (we agree) and she wants your fragrance to be as individual as you are. There are seven luxurious scents in the ready-to-wear fragrance line (we tried the sexy, intoxicating but subtle, "Exotic Tea")  and an amazing 80+ different base fragrance notes in the custom fragrance line.  This is our first sniff," and we do love it!  We were lucky enough to snag a sample  Dry Body Oil Spray (ready to wear- $40.00, Custom Blend -$95.00  4 fl. oz.). This luxurious bath oil is jojoba- based. It absorbs with lightening speed, leaving you with soft skin and a generous dose of the scent you've selected. The Custom Blend versions of Susanne Lang can run upwards of $150.00 (you get a 15-minute personal consultation to choose your own special formula) so this might not be an option for everyone, but there are  still seven ready-to-wear fragrance choices that are still quite fabulous and affordable. Try the body oil spray as an apres bath or shower indulgence, or as a fabulous end to a romantic evening.  We hope to review more of  the Susanne Lang line, in future columns.

Spark Seduction for Women and Spark Seduction for Men  $52.00 3.05 fl. oz. each are a hot, new duo of scents from beloved designer Liz Claiborne. The women's fragrance (in an elegant, twisted glass tower) is a  blend of clementine, guava, hydrangea, magnolias, passion flower, tuberose and a hint of frangipani, apricot skin, and musk. The sweet florals mixed with citrussy, spicy ones, make it feminine, but not overly-sweet. The men's fragrance (see photo) is very different. It's an aromatic, exotic blend of white pepper, cardamom, sparkling grapefruit, silver birch, vetiver, patchouli and smooth musks. The result is super-sexy. Don't suggest this to your special man unless you want him to be irresistible to others as well as to you as he will definitely attraction attention..and approval.

When we think Fall, we naturally think of apples.  The sexy fruit that is everyone's favorite must have been on the mind of Donna Karan, too.  Fresh for Fall is DKNY Be Delicious Eau De Parfum Spray 1.7 oz $48.00 3.04 oz $62.00 that is a witty and unique interpretation of the beloved apple! Top notes of crisp, green cucumber and sparkling grapefruit blend with magnolia, tuberose, white muget,rose and violet, and (for earthy appeal) there are hints of sandalwood, white amber, and blonde woods,. This is definitely a scent to share - fresh and fruity enough for a woman but strong enough to flatter a modern man.   Happily, this exciting new fragrance is also being debuted with a bath and body line (see bath and body review,  below) so you can layer and love the scent various ways.

When there's a chill in the air, it's the perfect time to celebrate the season with a tea party (or just a solo cup of tea).  Better yet, enjoy tea every day with Tea Party $50.00 by Philosophy. This is a travel-worthy set of 1 oz spray fragrances (sugar, lemon and tea) , sporting sweet graphic labels of adorable children. You can wear them solo, or blend them together any way you choose for a scent that is uniquely yours. We mixed all three together and made a pleasing, personal statement on all of us.  You can have a different fragrance every day!  What a fun, modern way to think about fragrance!  Makes a great gift for virtually any woman, everywhere, too.

We love Armani cosmetics and fragrances. They're luxe designer originals that we can actually afford! Armani Mania Eau De Parfum Pour Femme $62.50 2.5 fl.oz is a woodsy-oriental fragrance that is perfect for cooler temperatures and heavier fabrics worn in the Fall and Winter. The feminine, peachy fragrance seems a bit fruity at first, but dries down into a complex, sophisticated scent that is refined enough for daytime, sexy enough for long-lasting evening wear.  Fresh notes of laurel, mandarine, and pink spice blend with feminine florals of lily of the valley, peony, and contemporary cedar, amber, and musk to create a  memorable perfume that will translate differently (and beautifully) on every person who tries it. When you're seeking a new fragrance, it's exciting to find one that lets the wearer claim it for her own. Armani Mania, delivers. 

Bobbie Brown's newest fragrance is called Baby Eau De Parfum $45.00 1.7 fl. oz. This is a seriously feminine fragrance...no men need apply it. It's a real departure from the citrus and marine notes that have been popular this year. Baby is a sweet blend of orange flower, petal, melon, peach, and white lily. At first it feels like it's all sweet florals, but as it dries down, it takes on a more mature, subtle, almost baby-powder feel that reminded us of...well... (you guessed it) ...babies! We really loved the elegant, unadorned, clear glass square bottle (save for simple black lettering) with plain square silver top which would make a classy addition to your dressing table.  If you like light, soft floral fragrances that definitely signal the scent of a woman, you'll love this new fragrance.

Fig Basil Scent Mist $12.00 1.7 fl. oz by mark is a very pleasing fragrance that's hard to pin down to a "type."  At first, the scent seems a bit floral with a hint of fruit, but it dries down to a subtle, herbally-fresh scent. We think it's perfect for daytime wear and casual clothes. More than a fragrance, this spray mist has vitamins A,B, and C and other botanicals to cool and refresh your skin while it moisturizes and soothes. The slim,plain, frosted spray bottle will be a nice addition to your dressing table.  There are coordinating bath and body products which we are reviewing in our Bath & Body Category, below.

We have a new way to lift our spirits, these days. Dessert Beauty Deliciously Kissable Love Potion Fragrance $45.00 is meant to entice others, with distinctive fragrances, but we had a blast sniffing it on ourselves! As with the Dessert Beauty Blushes we reviewed, there are three premier fragrances in Jessica Simpson's beauty line. "Creamy" is reminiscent of vanilla bean and buttery caramel. 'Dreamy," a combo of milk chocolate and coconut and  "Juicy" reminds us of crushed strawberries and raspberries. The fragrances are strong and long lasting. There's also a Deliciously Kissable Hair and Body Mist $32.00 in all three fragrances,  with a hint of shimmer (a refreshing treat after a workout). Best of the bunch is the Powdered Sugar Deliciously Kissable Body Shimmer $34.00 (see photo), one of the nicest shimmers we've ever tried! It adds sheer, sexy sparkle to your skin, along with one of the three, yummy scents, and comes with an adorable black "puff" adorned with a cloud of black feathers. Whether you're with someone special (or want to attract a new love interest) or you're on your own, you'll want to add one of these to your makeup table. It's also a perfect pick-me-up for a friend - the ultimate "girly treat." Dust some on, and ready yourself  for whatever happens, next.

I adored my first bottle of Eau de Soir $75.00 1 fl. oz or  $130.00 1.07 fl. oz  by Sisley so much that I used it up months!  Eau de Soir isn't a brand new fragrance, but it's such a great one that we're suggesting it for Fall. The bottle by itself is a work of art (see photo), a substantial rectangle of clear glass, topped with a romantic sculpture of a woman's head (designed by artist Bronislaw Krzysztof). plated in 14K gold.  Inside, a sophisticated blend of citrus, floral chypre and intense musk and amber notes blend together to make a perfume that's all-woman and impossible to resist. Some of the specific ingredients are: Syringa, Rose of the Orient, Egyptian Jasmine, Sandalwood and Juniper and even some fruity notes of Mandarin and Grapefruit.  If this combo sounds exotic, it is.  It's complex, and translates differently on everyone  To some, it's herbal-floral-musk, to others, a citrussy-musky-floral and still others think it's woodsy-spicy scent.  However you define it,  it's love at first sniff.  People will stop you and ask what you're wearing! There's an entire bath and body line too!

Super-designer Emanuel Ungaro has designed only three fragrances in the last 20 years. It's clear he put a lot of work into the creation of his newest called Apparition 1 oz $56.00, 1.7 oz $78.00, 2.7 oz $98.00. This scent is absolutely unique. It's a spicy-fruity blend  with top notes of raspberry and cayenne pepper, middle notes of passion flower and rose and base notes of  patchouli, and heliotrope. The result is a heady, intoxicating blend that is elusive, mysterious, seductive, feminine, and brilliant! The bottle is an unusual, slightly leaning block of icy clear glass studded with violet, gold, and green mirror-like recessed  squares on one side that show simply golden on the other. It's a designer original holding an designer original! There's a body moisture $43.00 and a shower Gel $36.00 which is an option for the budget-minded who want to sample this fascinating fragrance. It's genuine "haute couture" to can claim for your own.

We tested Jack Black's "Signature" Eau de Toilette $58.00 3.4 fl. oz on some very willing men. They loved the simple, clear, square bottle,  housing a light, peridot- colored fragrance. They unanimously agreed that this is a modern, masculine scent that could easily become any man's "signature."  It's a fresh scented combo of Italian Bergamot, Mediterranean Laurel Leaf, aromatic Sage, Lavender from Provence and freshly-cut Cedar Wood. The result is substantial enough to stand up to a wool suit, but not the ordinary, overly-heavy musk, wood or herbal. This innovative fragrance is perfect for the man who is distinctive, and wants to stand out (in a good way).

Lolita Lempicka Midnight Eau de Parfum Spray 1.04 oz $60.00, 2.7 oz $80.00 is a brand new and 100% feminine fragrance that will delight your eyes as well as your nose. The bottle arrives in a yellow-green cardboard cube lined with lilac. Nestled like a precious gem inside the box is an absolutely stunning, purple glass "apple-shaped" bottle festooned with delicate, silvery-glittered "leaves" and a gold top sprouting a delicate, lilac "stem" (the spray top)!  This one is so new that we can't tell you specific ingredients, but we're guessing it's primarily florals. Regardless, it's a distinctive, complex scent. The drydown softens the initial floral with a berried musk (with floral overtones). This is a substantial, sexy scent that will translate differently on every woman based on her body chemistry. The bottle alone will make you feel pampered, like a princess. Try it and make it your own.

Today, Tomorrow, Always Eau de Parfum $30.00 1.07 oz by Avon is part of a "trilogy" of scents. The first (Scent #1)  will be available in November, advertised by the popular actress, Salma Hayek . We previewed it for you and were blissed out! Top notes of J of green cactus, freesia, and white pepper blend with musks and cedarwood to create a very sensual fragrance. it lasts a long time, and isn't too sweet or heavy. We just have to stop sniffing ourselves; it smells that good We are eagerly awaiting Scent s# 2 & 3,  launching in 2005!

BATH, BODY, & GIFTS:  Is your skin dull, dry, flaky, itchy or just not feeling "right" after being exposed more than usual, this summer?  Bath & Body products are not only fun to use and give you a mental lift, they can target specific skin problems and quickly offer solutions that really work.   Indulge yourself with serious skincare that often comes in gorgeous scents that give new meaning to the word aroma-therapy. The following products address some of the most common apres-summer skin problems and most make great gifts, too. There are items to suit every budget and taste (literally!) from energizing herbals and soothing florals, to fruit and even chocolate-scented delights! 

We love Laura Mercier's deliciously scented bath products. These favorites are the ultimate self-indulgence and they make perfect gift for nearly everyone.  New scents are available in your favorites, for Fall.  Try  moisturizing bubbling Honey Bath $40.00 now available in "Tarte Au Citron," sheer jasmine flower blended with fresh vanilla meringue scents.  Use the included "honey dipper" to twirl just the amount you want under running water. Moisturize after bath with Souffle Body Créme $55.00 in "Tarte Au Citron." It silkens skin instantly, without feeling greasy, leaves a subtle scent and sheen, and has loads of good-for-your-skin ingredients.  If your skin is especially dry, banish the feeling with one of the most sinfully-scented products on around:  Body Butter $40.00 in "Vanilla Créme Puff" (yes, it does smell like it's yummy namesake).   Your skin will be softer, smoother,  look better, and you will smell simply divine!

Bliss is one of my favorite spas. That's why I'm thrilled to include Bliss products for the first time in this column.  It's a good thing that the new Bliss Herbal Jungle Exfoliating Soap $16.00 is a huge bar, because your entire household will want to use it. It's so new that we didn't get detailed press information, but we can report that the soap is a very effective cleanser/exfoliator. The soap has two dozen raised "knobs" that work with tiny grains embedded in the soap to sough off dead skin and stimulate it, while you cleanse. The eucalyptus, fresh rosemary, spearmint, lavender and orange-scented soap quickly works up into a rich lather.  It's truly addictive. For mega-moisture, smooth on Vanilla + Bergamot Body Butter Maximum Moisture Cream $32.00. This rich cream relieves flaky, dry, itchy skin and is lightly scented with a light floral mixed with just a hint of vanilla. *HINT:  If you're wearing strappy sandals or want a foot massage from that special someone, this is great on your feet. If you can't get to a BLISS spa in person, these products are an easy way to create your own spa experience, at home.

DKNY Be Delicious, the newest fragrance from Donna Karan (see fragrance, above) is an ode to the green-apple. We're delighted that this new scent also has arrived with a bath and body line. Apres bath or shower, lather on DKNY Be Delicious Body Lotion $36.00 5 oz for more moisture, and beautifully-scented, soft skin. A surprising product in this nifty new line is actually a treat for your lips, not your body: DKNY Be Delicious Lip Gloss $16.00 is a squeeze tube of clear, shiny gloss that moisturizes your lips , leaving them with a subtle hint of flavor and apple-y DKNY Be Delicious scent!

A compliment to the Self-Sanctuary Scent Mist   by mark we reviewed above in "Fig Basil," is Self-Sanctuary Fig Basic Body Butter $7.00.  You can layer more scent with this nicely sized jar (6.07 fl. oz) of thick, moisturizing cream, full of good-for-your-skin vitamins and conditioners. This is good to note.  because soon, as the weather gets cooler and indoor heating dries out skin, this will help you keep it soft and moist.  There is also a very effective Fig Basil Exfoliating Polish $5.00 that  has aloe and fig extract to moisturize which it polishes away away rough, dead skin and leaves more of that lovely Fig Basil fragrance - a loofah-in-a--bottle!  Reviewers also liked the Fig Basil Body Sorbet $5.00. Treat yourself  to this lightweight lotion to layer even more fragrance and make skin feel awake, alive, refreshed!

Zum Oil $13.50 is a pick-me-up-in-a-pump-bottle for dry skin crying for moisture, but it is also a massage oil.  This all-natural aromatherapy massage/moisturizer is made with pure essential oils such as shea butter, meadowfoam seed, sweet almond, hemp, and avocado. We tried one of four pretty scents - sensual, exotic "Frankincense and Myrrh" (men will love this one, too).  The oil absorbs quickly, leaving only happy memories and wonderfully-scented skin.

There's nothing quite like settling in after a long day at the office with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Mixed Emotions has created what might be the ultimate non-fattening version. Mixed Emotions "Bite Me" Chocolate Comfort  Body Cleanser $20.00 and Body Cream $22.00 are generously- sized  and a "cup of comfort" for your body and spirit. It's hard to describe just how yummy these products smell (unless you're one of the few on the planet who dislike chocolate. Open a new jar of cocoa, breathe deeply..that's the scent! The Cleanser is not only fragrant, but does the job of cleansing and leaving skin feeling fresh and soft, too.  The body cream looks like chocolate pudding and moisturizes like a dream. There's also an Exfoliating Scrub $25.95 with a serious base of dead sea salts. You'll have be so enthralled with using these products (while getting rid of those last vestiges of itchy, blotchy summer tan) that you might not even mourn the end of summer!

LUSH King of Skin massage bar $8.65 is kept fresh in a plastic packet, and comes wrapped in adorable folksy tissue. We liked how its fresh banana, avocado, cocoa butter and essential oils made our dry skin fell like "butt." The subtle scent lingers; just remember to towel off the skin-sloughing oats. Best for drier skins and if your skin has been baked for too many hours in the summer sun!

Need a fresh-smelling body scrub to wake you up in the morning? On a  budget? our answer is Bain de-luxe’s Foaming Body Scrub $4.99. It's unisex rosemary mint scent lasts all day, and the aloe vera and glycerin foam exfoliate like nobody’s business.  This makes a  welcome addition to any shower.

The best way to try a product is at the time you really need it, the test of Clarins Energizing Hydra-Wear Express Body Lotion $35.50 went to  a reviewer who was, just then, absent-mindedly scratching her itchy, apres-suntan-dried-out legs. We received all sorts of information about the unique,state-of-the-art engineering of this lotion, but in simple terms, this new, amazing lotion delivers intensive moisture immediately when and where you need it. We watched as the lotion quickly absorbed into our reviewer's badly parched, scaly skin and saw it become visibly, smooth and nearly glowing. "My skin feels like velvet!" she exclaimed. This product will be available in early November. We clamored to try it too and we were hooked. Imagine what it can do for your body!

When you are splurging on a super-luxe product, you want everyone to know it's something special. DibiBody Gold $76.00 8.45 fl. oz. by DIBI is an Italian lotion that look ultra-luxe even before you open it. This lovely (and very effective) body moisturizer comes in a substantial, hard-sided cardboard tube with gold top that is patterned pearl with gold lettering, sparing no glitz.  Inside, a white bottle with gold lettering is crowned by large, shiny gold cap with embossed logo and completed with a "coaster" of gold on the bottom. The pleasingly and lightly scented body lotion is the star, however. It's got Vitamins A,C and E, hyaluronic acid (major hydrator) and lots of other good-for-your- skin ingredients to protect, smooth, pamper and hydrate. It's a great lotion and one of our top picks for a splurge, this column.  Put this on your dressing table and feel like royalty, every day! We also tried DibiBody Silhouette Anti-Cellulite Bath Foam with Marine Algae.  Massage this softly-scented product onto your body with a damp sponge (to make foam) before your shower or bath. Minerals and botanicals and even an algae from the Atlantic Ocean is used to help you take the first step towards a tighter, more toned, skin.

Money can't buy happiness, but it can net you some nifty, new, luxe beauty products. Osmotics Lipoduction Body Perfecting Complex $175.00 6.8 fl. oz. isn't a budget-minded cream, but then again, cellulite is one of the most troubling (and difficult) skin conditions to handle, and nothing gets rid of it easily, quickly or inexpensively. This new body perfecting complex looks ordinary from the tube, but we can assure you, it's not. For starters, it has tons of natural ingredients that are designed to increase metabolism, break down fat, and visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite. Does it really work? It takes some time to get real results (apply it at least twice a day for at least 60  days) and we just didn't have the time to test it long enough to report those kinds of findings.  However, we can say that this . and our skin definitely felt sleeker, firmer, and smoother. Osmotics is known throughout the world for cosmeceutical breakthroughs such as Blue Copper 5, Kinetin, and FNS. They are allowing the product to be tested in two independent double-blind medical trials, the first company ever to allow a cellulite product to undergo tests like this, so you know they believe they're onto something amazing. If cellulite is a major issue for you, this is the newest hope to fix it relatively quickly and inexpensively.

Senorita Margarita 3-in-One Cleanser/Shampoo/Conditioner $16.00 by Philosophy not only smells like one of our favorite beverages, it's the kind of product we dream about, a sublimely-lime-scented shampoo, conditioner, and body wash all in one. If you have to get up in the morning and bathe,  you might as well be the best part of the day. It will be, when you use fun, lime-scented Senorita Margarita.   Not into lime? There's also an equally exciting and yummy Melon Daiquiri 3-in-One Cleanser/Shampoo/Conditioner$16.00. This raspberry-pink version is also a 3-in-one.  Your skin will feel soft and clean and so will your hair. More importantly, you'll have had fun.

We haven't reviewed a lot of Sephora product exclusives in the past (although we highly recommend shopping at www.sephora.com but we're fortunate to review a Water Colors Whipped Body Souffle $12.00 from the Sephora   "Relaxing" collection.  A generously sized 12 oz jar of light lavender-colored "mousse" combines herbs and flowers such as lavender, heliotrope, muguet, amber, musk, and extracts of Hawaiian white ginger, and chamomile to soothe your skin, calm your worries, and help you relax. Treat yourself to a dollop of this light and lovely balm for your dry skin, and for your spirit.

GLO Minerals is known for it's high-quality makeup products, but they also have a luxury spa line. One we particularly like is the Hydrating Bath Soak $28.00 in "Citrus Lavender" that soothes and calms as it re-hydrates sun-parched or generally dry, skin. The light green liquid has a wonderful lavender scent. When mixed with water, Vitamin E, almond, macadamia nut and sunflower oils work to penetrate into your dry skin and provide a moisture barrier that actually continues to help keep skin stay hydrated. For a one-two punch on skin that's seen too much summer sun or is just generally prone to dryness, smooth on Enzyme Body Repair $39.00 in "Lavender Mint. This rich lotion not only feels good, it does good. Continued use actually helps to remove layers of dead skin and encourage healthy skin. Indoor heat can cause your skin to dry out in Winter, too.  Ours felt super-silky after using it just once, so imagine how great yours will be if you use it regularly. Treat yourself and enjoy the pampering (and smooth skin) all year long.

GREAT KITS, GREAT GIFTS, AND A HOST OF HELPERS TO MAKE YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE EASIER AND MORE FUN:   There are times when you discover something new that revolutionizes your beauty routine. "If I'd only known about this, before!" you think.  The products we've selected below are all fabulous "aha!" items that can make your beauty routine easier, more effective, and more fun.  We also have included some of the newest, hottest and best makeup kits and tools that have launched this season. They are a special treat for you, an impressive and thoughtful gift for someone special.  Indulge and Enjoy!

NARS Body Glow $55.00 will help those with deep tans or medium complexions to keep a luxe, sun-kissed summer look, year-round. " The bud of the tiare flower is soaked in the finest coconut oil and then blended for a translucent chocolate shimmer and luxuriously fragrant skin. The result? The fragrance and look of the tropics..in a jar!

Another way to glow is the eye-popping, other-worldy Bang! All Over Color $14.00 by Rocket City. Open the petite, square, matte silver compact find a cream-to-powder color for eyes, cheeks and lips, dotted with a glitter and other colors over a brown. it  looks like it could be an alien life form, but when mixed together the colors immediately blend to a stunning, metallic that  blends smoothly, dries quickly and work wonderfully as evening blush or eye shadow or dabbed on top of clear lip gloss. Our favorite? "Moon Groovin" a coppery metallic. You can get a similar but less metallic, more glimmery copper effect with Rocket City It Sparkles $13.50 in "It's Amazing" (peachy glimmer), a loose powder in a shaker jar that you can apply everywhere on it's own or over an existing color....just for fun.

Sometimes, it's the little things that make your day. In our Spring 2004 column we reviewed Victorias Secret Soothing Bedtime Balmy Nights Lip Balm $5.50   and we made a new friend. However, we just discovered Balmy Days Conditioning Lip Balm with SPF 15 $1.75 and now we're really in love! This slim, pink tube of costs only a few dollars, but it's worth a million! Our dry lips developed a crack that re-opened every time we smiled (those really hurt). We tried everything but our lips wouldn't soften up. One application of fruity tasting,, clean, shiny Balmy Days and our woes were over (we are not kidding..this works like a charm). Now that we've found and we know it has protection for our lips against the sun's damaging rays,  this we are stocking up and not leaving home without it.

We love Bobbi Brown compacts for their chic, sleek, shiny black look with subtle white logo,  the included applicators that are of the highest quality instead of just being an afterthought, and colors that always looks modern, sophisticated, and universally flattering. A quintet of perfectly paired products in the newest Bobbi Brown Color Palette $45.00 is called "Ski Slopes." The warm, earthy shades include one eggshell-toned cream eye shadow, a deep chocolate powder shadow/liner called "Espresso," a beautiful rose blush "Slopes" and two lip colors (browned beige and rust). We tried these colors on a number of complexions and accomplished a an almost born-with-it (and highly flattering) natural look. The colors work so well together it's virtually mistake-proof. Get a compact for yourself, and glow, all season. We also adore the Neutral Lip and Eye Palette $48.00, a nifty, two-tiered mirrored compact with two great brushes (dual-ended eye/liner, and lip). Slide out the top tray of four gorgeous lip colors in various Earthtones, and find three stunning eye shadows in ivory, taupe and "smoke" (deep grey). Trust us, the colors will look beautiful on everyone. This makes a great gift for a makeup junkie and for those who are just clueless about choosing colors - these all work so well together, you just can't make a mistake. Another "must-have "for yourself, or an impressive gift, is the new, soft-sided Brown Mini Brush Set $45.00. Three regular-sized, top-quality makeup brushes for eyes, liner and blush have travel-sized handles and are nestled in small, curved black, leatherette zip case with subtle, embossed Bobbi Brown logo and shiny silver logo "pull." Too Cute! There's also room on the other side for two lipsticks or other small makeup items of your choice.  This won't take up much room in your makeup bag, and once you use these high-performance tools, you'll never go anywhere without them, again! Our final Bobbi Brown "find" are Empties $10.00. These are so cute and essential for anyone who travels. This is a set of five clear plastic mini bottles and jars that you fill with your skincare or makeup favorites, along with self-adhesive labels and a funnel. *HINT: 3ml jar is ideal for eye cream or lip balm, 7 ml jars are perfect for moisturizer and sunscreen or powder, 15ml bottle can hold Eye Makeup Remover or foundation. Use 30ml bottle for cleanser or hand wash.

When we see anything from Stila we know we're going to love it. Their products are coveted by fashionistas, makeup artists, and..well...us!  The "Fiercely Feminine" Eye and Cheek Palette $30.00 (see photo) is one of our top picks for a Fall must-have. The colors are beautiful (we'll get to those in a moment) but the packaging is simply divine.Slim, faux leather clutches with neat, white stitching, inside mirrors, and substantial, silvery "buckles" are the perfect compliment to Fall fashions. The color of the leather mirrors the collection inside (black for the plums, olive green for sage, brown for taupes, and burgundy for pinks.  Inside you'll find three pans of shadows  (light,medium, dark)  and a complimentary, larger sized pan of blush.  They are all beautiful so its' hard to suggest just one. If you want to try a green this Fall, the Eye and Cheek Palette in "Fierce Sage" has a great green shadow that's subtle and soft, complimented by gold and champagne that is very wearable.  The blush is a slightly peached-pink that will look great on everyone.

When you don't have a lot of time to forage for the perfect color combos, or when you're on-the-go, a great kit is a true helper. Sue Devitt Studio Starbrights Lip & Cheek Palette $35.00 is a trio for colors that is applied easily with your fingers. it suits everyone, can go everywhere, and works with everything you're going to be wearing. The products can be applied with a light touch for a nearly no-makeup look, or with a heavier hand, for evening or for deeper complexions.Two glosses, beige and berried-pink, give just a hit of color to lips with tons of shine and no stickiness whatsoever. The berried-rose blush amazingly warms a sallow or less than healthy complexion to believably glowing, in an instant. We love these kits!

Shine is nice when it's meant to be placed on eyes, lips, body or nails, but oily shine on your face is never a good fashion statement. Ramy Beauty Therapy Miracle Matte! Anti-Shine $35.00 helps you keep your face matte all day, even if your s