A Recent Love Affair with Barneys Beauty... I Feel Very SJP!

As Sarah Jessica Parker once told Vanity Fair, "If you're a nice person and you work hard, you get to go shopping at Barneys.  It's the decadent reward."  Well, Barneys came to me... A few weeks ago as my doorman handed me all of my packages I found myself floored by the size and weight of the Barneys bag I had to carry up to my apartment.  It was like Christmas morning and even though I only live three floors up, I took the elevator.  It took some time to go through it and try out all of the latest launches, but here are my absolute favorites.

Eve Lom Rescue Mask

I'm a face mask junkie and have about 12 in my vanity, all for different reasons of course, but this one does it all.  It's the miracle mask.  Seriously.  It's clay based and rejuvenates and refreshes tired skin, rids any imperfection from a pimple to a scab and really makes my skin look healthy and vibrant.  It's well worth the $50, but since the bottle is less than two ounces, I hoard this one and don't share.

Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Classic

Besides being one of Angelina Jolie's favorite glosses, it's also now my absolute favorite gloss.  Despite the fact that it's a whopping $32 for a lipgloss, I will purchase it when I run out.  People ask me if I had lip injections when I wear it, which is weird because while it does have wheat protein for plumping purposes, it doesn't feel like a lip plumper at all.  The smooth, stick free formula makes my mouth appear full with a classy shine, not goopy.

X-Ray Profumo in Delirium

It's extremely rare that I find a perfume that I love because to be honest most of them give me headaches, but this is a delicate, feminine blend with a sensual twist that I can't get enough of lately.  I also like that I'm the only one in my group of friends who wears it.  Well worth the $185 price tag.

Skincare Discovery: Rodin Olio Lusso, Reasons Why I'm Using Oil On My Face and You Should Too

In the beauty industry, word gets around.  If there's a true, must-have product, it's discussed.  Over dinner one night with my friend Amber of BeautyBloggingJunkie I couldn't help but notice how radiant her skin looked so of course I asked her what she was using.  Rodin Olio Lusso was her skin-changing answer.  Of course, she got the tip from our mutual beauty editor friend Andrea who works at People.com.  So it continues, and now I too, am rubbing oil on my face.  I know, it sounds scary at first, but trust me and my colleagues, it works miracles. First of all let me explain exactly what this magical oil is.  Rodin Olio Lusso is a face oil made up of 11 essential oils that brightens your skin and leaves it with a dewy glow.  Created by former Harper's Bazaar Fashion Editor, Linda Rodin, it's now sold in Barneys for $150 a pop.  But don't let the price tag scare you, because it lasts forever and the results prove its worth.  Here's why face oil is beneficial and why I especially love this one:

• It looks, feels and smells luxurious.  Most of my skincare products aren't scented and I prefer them that way, but I apply this at nighttime, the aroma instantly calms me and takes me to a place of ease.  I almost feel like a sophisticated French woman.
• With Rodin Olio Lusso you're supposed to apply the tiniest amount to cleansed skin in the morning and evening for added moisture.  I actually like using the oil as a pre-cleanse at night.  I take a little bit and gently massage it into my face before I wash it with a gentle cleanser.  Some of the oil is left behind and my skin feels super soft.  Plus, it acts as a makeup remover.
• I don't normally wear a ton of makeup, but when doing on camera work, the foundation gets piled on and I also use the oil to break down my makeup quickly incase I need to refresh it without washing my face or simple to take it off.
• Face oils help to calm the skin and regulate oil production.  Yes, even if you have oily skin it will help regulate it.  If you have really dry skin, apply moisturizer on top of it.

Rodin Olio Lusso can be found at Barneys for $150.

Barneys New York Tempts You to Love Yourself

I rarely ever walk into Barneys, because when I do it's bad... real bad.  The department store is reason number 1,999 why I often have to put my credit card in the freezer.  However, in case you do feel like"window shopping," here's a promo worth going inside and taking a peek for. Spend $200 and get a gift bag that includes beauty loot from Deborah Lippmann, NARS, Radical Skincare, 3Lab, Cle de Peau, Kai, Frederic Malle, Lipstick Queen and more.  Just don't say I didn't warn you!

Get It While It's Hot: KohGenDo Launched in Barneys

It's not often I come across a beauty brand that I absolutely cannot live without, but KohGenDo is one of them.  About a year and a half ago the Japanese skincare and cosmetic brand launched online in the US and just recently they made their big debut on the counters at Barneys in New York and in Beverly Hills.  Get this – Barney's can't keep the products on shelves! Looks like the rest of the world is with me.  I covet the skincare.  Especially the Macro Vintage Essence Mask.  It's one product I'll share only with my mom because it's that good.  I use it once a week and it keeps my skin boosting with a fresh, dewy glow.

KohGenDo recently came out with Gommage Gel that's a gentle exfoliator and trust me on this – you know it's working. Why?  Because all of the dead skin cells and impurities you're rubbing away show as the exfoliant turns to rubbery balls. Yes, it may sound gross, but let's face it, we all like products that look or feel effective.  This skincare line has proven results over time to me.

Besides loving the skincare myself, celebrity makeup artists are cult followers of the skincare and makeup, especially the foundations.  They were used on Angelina Jolie in Salt and recently on the cast of The Reasonable Brunch (Demi Moore, Ellen Barkin and Kate Bosworth).  Ellen Barkin regularly grabs the products from Alcone in NYC whether she's filming or not.  Now KohGenDo's available to us online and in Barneys!  Check out the full range of products and let me know if you'd like suggestions... trust me, I've been using all of the skincare and tried all of the cosmetics!