5 Favorites

Confession: I've been indulging lately in beauty products that cost a pretty penny. Of course, I typically mix up my vanity with highs and lows, but this "5 Favorites" post doesn't include any drugstore buys.  I almost feel guilty, but I couldn't help but rave about these new products.  Yes, even the $29 hand cream.  Hey, if you're going to spend your paycheck at Sephora, you might as well know what works!

Jane Iredale Hand Drink, $29 at janeiredale.com

I'm completely obsessed with applying cream to my hands as I skeeve dry skin.  That being said, whenever a new hand cream comes across my desk, I use it... all of it.  This time, I fell in love with Jane Iredale's new hand cream, not only does it it sink into my skin quickly and have SPF, but also because it and leave a greasy residue.  When I saw that it was $29, I was shocked.  A bit pricey for a hand cream, but if you're searching for the one, this is it.

Armani Eye Tint, $38 at giorgioarmanibeauty-usa.com

When I apply these eye tints, I feel fancy.  Armani Beauty just launched 12 shades of this creamy shadow.  To apply, I use the sponge applicator it comes with and then a shadow brush to blend.  They stay put for hours and the give off the most beautiful luminescent color, (which is what I like the most), that can be layered for a more intense look.

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm, $63 at bobbibrown.com

After doing my makeup, I press this moisture balm onto my cheekbones, the top of my nose, forehead and chin to enhance the appearance of my healthy skin.  When it comes to makeup, you should use it to enhance, not cover up and this illuminating balm brings out the best of your skin.  You can also wear it alone to reap the benefits.

YSL Volupte Tint-in-Oil, $32 at sephora.com

Now this... is special.  The first of it's kind, YSL created a tinted lip oil that adapts to your natural lip color, making sure it's the most flattering shade for you.  It works the same way as perfume where the same scent smells differently on different women. Available in eight shades, you can layer the color to increase the intensity of the pigment.

Indie Lee Patchouli Sandalwood Moisturizing Oil, $36 at indielee.com

Do you use oil on your skin?  Sometimes I apply this alone right after I get out of the shower and sometimes I mix it with my moisturizer.  My skin drinks it up!  Made with jojoba and apricot oils and sandalwood, this oil is super moisturizing and great to use throughout the winter.  Indie Lee makes several different types of oil, but the scent of this one is to die.

Met Gala Approved Beauty Trend: Vampy Lipstick

Tonight at the Met Gala, perhaps one of the most high fashion events of the year, the biggest names in the industry along with Hollywood's most talented walked the red carpet donning their most glamorous attire.  One beauty trend that couldn't go unnoticed was the plethora of dark lipstick that coated the pouts of Jessica Alba, Camilla Belle and Lana Del Rey.  They were all sporting a vampy lip look to compliment their metallic gowns.  Here's how to get the look. Jessica Alba in Michael Kors

Jessica wore a deep red lip that reminded me of one of my favorite color combos from Nars.  To get the look, try Nars Lipstick in Fire Down Below layered over Nars Lipliner in African Queen.

Camilla Belle in Ralph Lauren

Camilla reportedly blended her lip look herself creating a deep burgundy glossy shade that  reads almost black.  Into it?  Try Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Cassis and top it with an even vampier gloss like YSL Black Lip Gloss.

Lana Del Rey in Altuzarra

The mission was to represent her music.  Mission accomplished.  The singer wore a matte, deep, velvet red lip.  Check out Illamasqua Lipstick in Matte Deep Scarlet Red.

Katie Cassidy Confesses Guiltiest Pleasure to BeautySweetSpot

This week I attended an intimate holiday dinner with Crest at the Cooper Square Hotel penthouse.  Surrounded by views of NYC we all sat and ate a fab meal and got the chance to chat with Gossip Girl star, Katie Cassidy. When she sat next to me at the table I had to take advantage of the opportunity and shoot away.  First of all, I knew who she was from her role in A Nightmare on Elm Street and then Melrose Place.  But even more than that, because my mom used to be obsessed with her father, old-school heart throb, David Cassidy.

"I grew up in The Hills living a very normal life because my parents weren't together and I lived with my mom," Katie said.  "But when people told me how hot my dad was it was really weird."

As she's telling me this my mother is texting me while I'm at the table telling me how in love she was with David and that she used to see him perform several times a year and write him love letters.  I wasn't about to tell Katie.

Katie was a very sweet, down-to-earth girl who seemed to really enjoy herself at the event. I was dying over her lashes and even though she claimed they were real and credited YSL mascara, I knew she wasn't telling the whole truth!  I'm sure YSL mascara had something to do with them, but I'm sure lash extensions should have deserved 90% of the credit.

When I asked what her guiltiest pleasure was she laughed and said listening to Fergie's "Working On My Fitness" while working out.  I can't argue with her there!