Sizzling Serengeti

Global Goddess' new Sizzling Serengeti Tribal Eyeshadow Quad ($42) contains 4 embossed shadows that are infused with Baobab Oil and Moringa oil. Each palette is remniscent of a Serengeti safari through the plains of Kenya. Mombasa (pictured)- shimmering plums. Arusha- rich golds and bronzes. Eldoret- blues and greens.


I can't wait to try the Coconut Alma Lash & Brow Conditioner ($21). It's a time-tested Indian secret concoction of coconut and alma oils. Nettle and horse chestnut extracts and lecithin help strengthen lashes, while Bioenergizer encourages lash growth and volume. Wow, I bet this works even better than vaseline.

The Goodie Bag Game

Benefit has paired up with shoe website, Piperlime, to give away some awesome goodie bags- filled with $500 worth of makeup and some cute shoes- every day from June 5th- June 25th. Go to http://www.piperlime.com/goodiebag for your chance to win!

Eau De Gloss

Bourjois' Eau De Gloss ($15) is like a citrus-mint vitamin water, if there was such a thing. It's a light 14% water gloss that moisturizes lips for 4 hours. Available in 8 shades.

My New Favorite Lip Gloss

I have this weird habit where I can't stop sticking my tongue out between my lips when I'm concentrating or according to my boyfriend, unwrapping any sugary substance. I don't know why I do this, but I can't stand it. It makes me look crazy, dries out my lips and who knows how many pounds of lipgloss/balm I've ingested... NYX Cosmetic's Sheer Gloss ($5) is awesome because it is un-sticky but hydrating. I will say, I was surprised by the quality of texture. I have Cherry, which is a bright orange-red in the cute flower tube, but it's very sheer and pretty on lips. It's also easy to apply with a brush applicator. Available in 24 different colors at a quarter of the competitor's price.

Shopping Spree

Recently, my newly earned money has been burning serious holes in my pockets. I keep trying to remind myself that it's more fun to spend within your means.

Splurge #1: Urban Decay

• 24/7 Eyeliner in Bourbon (brown w/ teeny gold glitter)
• 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero (zealous black)
• Deluxe Eyeshadow in Zero (smoking black)
• Eyeshadow in Stray Dog (cool brown)
• Eyeshadow Primer Potion

The 24/7 Eyeliners don't disappoint, but it is imperative to set them with a matching shadow for extra staying power. The Primer Potion is kind of a weird texture, and a little sticky to me, so I apply Bare Escentuals over top of it. I do this before eyeshadow in the morning and by 5:30pm when I get off work, it's still visible. I am searching for the ultimate black eyeshadow, and I know Zero isn't it, but it's a close runner up. And about Stray Dog... well, I do have to say I'm surprised it's not completely sold out right now, because I'm pretty much in love with it. The cool brown is very subtly shimmery, which I like, because I don't want to look like a prostitute at work. (Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration, but you know what I mean.)

Splurge #2: Marc Jacobs "Violet Wham" Satchel
I got the dark brown one (for a discounted price) from Bluefly. The leather is super soft, the inside is a vibrant red and black print, and it holds the ridiculous amount of junk I insist on carrying around (ex.- newspaper, high heels, wallet, sunglasses, glasses, makeup bag, water-bottle.) I absolutely love it.

Splurge #3: Michael Kors Braided "Rope" Belt

I have nothing to say about that, it's just a great belt.
To readers who comment: Thanks for visiting!

Perfume Solid Chic

Everyone loves perfume, but who wants to tote an atomizer around in their purse- possibly causing a disastrous leak? Who wants to pack their perfume bottle in their suitcase for vacation?

Perfume Solids to the rescue. A few to choose from: Juicy Couture's Perfume Solid ($55) is a pretty pink solid perfume in a silver compact with a pink leather case. The Bvlgari Omnia Perfume Solid ($85) is tucked inside a gorgeous silver bauble and includes a white carrying case. Last but not least, my personal favorite is the Marc Jacobs Perfume Solid Compact ($55). It's Marc's signature gardenia scent packaged in a sleek black leather compact. So why do we recommend this so highly? Because throughout the day, your perfume dissipates. Because they are all so darn cute and chic at the same time. Because what's better than a fragrance that doesn't leak or break during transit?

NEW Bobbi Brown How-To Videos

Who doesn't love makeup tutorials? Whats a better way to learn than watching the experts? On the Bobbibrown.com site, she has a selected few videos- in particular there's an under eye concealing video that helps you get rid of bags. It's amazing, and everyone should see it. Another good place for makeup videos? Try Myspace. Friend your favorite cosmetic companies. Smashbox Cosmetics has a great page that features behind the scenes tricks on a blog that's updated weekly. Oprah.com now offers these tutorials by Bobbi Brown. These 2-3 minute clips teach you how to create:

• Smoky Evening Eyes
• Daytime Eyes
• Bridal Beauty
• Give Yourself a Make-Under
• One-Minute Makeup
• The Perfect Lipstick
• Day to Evening Makeup
• Grooming Your BRows
• Pretty with Powder
• Natural-Looking Foundation
• How to Line Your Eyes
• How to Care For Your Face

Check it out, you just might learn something.

New Urban Decay

Urban Decay has just come out with 6 new eye shadows, based on customer requests. I can't wait to try Sellout (pink champagne Midnight Cowboy without glitter), Stray Dog (cool medium brown), and Toasted (rich copper). I'm always in the market for a new brown shadow- and I just started working full-time, so I'm DEFINITELY giving myself a treat. Everyone's favorite, exceptionally pigmented shadow comes in an adorable subway token compact for $16 each.

Sircuit Skincare

I was recently introduced to Sircuit Skincare, which is a really cool line thats free of artificial colors, fragrances and preservatives (and of course, cruelty free- not tested on animals). I've been using Day Care and White Out. Day Care ($60) is a bestseller. It's a day moisturizer that combines sun protection with antioxidant properties to prevent sun damage. It is Chirally Correct and non-comedogenic, so it won't clog your pores. The lotion is creamy and absorbs very very quickly. White Out ($55)is a luxurious, award winning eye treatment. It soothes and refreshes eyes with skin brighteners. The cream is really white when you apply it, so you need to let it absorb a little bit before you put on concealer or whatever. Both products are surprisingly useful and the packaging is modern. Celebrities world-wide are raving about this stuff. What more could you ask for?

Bare Escentuals Coral Reef

Bare Escentuals Teamed Up: Coral Reef ($42) is a set of 100% bareMinerals eye colors, each offering a different texture and look. The Soft Focus Pure Eyeshadow is the perfect pale vanilla base color. The 70's Glimmer is a pale peach shimmery enhancer that can be blended all over the entire eye or wherever you want it. Tiger Lily is a muted coral/rose that can be brushed into the crease for definition. The Carnival Liner Shadow is a deep chocolate powder liner that can be used wet for a sharp line or dry for smokiness. This collection reminds me of a peach smoothie, perfect for spring.

Skincare To Go

The newest Bobbi Brown collections include Skincare to go ($48) and Extra Skincare to go ($75). Skincare to go includes a full skincare regimen- Lathering Tube Soap, Hydrating Face Cream, Overnight Cream, Hydrating Eye Cream, Eye Makeup Remover, Intensive Skin Supplement and 3 single-use packettes of Buffing Grains. Extra Skincare to go comes with the Balm Rinse Cleanser, SPF 25 Moisturizing Balm for daytime, Moisturizing Balm for nighttime, Eye Balm, Soothing Balm, Face Oil and 3 single-use packettes of Buffing Grains- which can be combined with the Balm Rinse for a personalized exfoliator. This one also has an empty jar to experiment with. Too perfect for vacations.

KaplanMD

I just received kaplanMD's Cleansing Lotion ($65) which is described as a thorough, yet gentle purifying facial cleanser that takes away makeup while aiding in break-out prevention. I just read that these products are designed for women over 30 who are experiencing skin symptoms associated with estrogen loss. That makes me wonder if I should still use it, but I guess it's not hurting anything and I ran out of face soap yesterday anyway. I'm just going to keep using it. I guess I'll go over the ingredients. Contains: Dr. Kaplan's very own phytogenic triactive complex, protel apl, panthenol, salyclic acid, vegetal radiancer, chamomile extract, and sodium pca. I like the bottle. The actual product is very creamy and luxurious on the skin and smells sweet and fruity.