What Beauty Editors Are Giving this Season

There has to be at least one person on your holiday gift list that you'll be buying a beauty gift set for!  Good luck stepping into a Sephora.  You're going to want everything!  Since my beauty writer friends and I have seen them all, I called on the troops to dish on what beauty gifts they're gifting this season to help you cut through the clutter.  Here are some of the hottest ones out there this season all under $50.

I'll be gifting the Urban Decay Black Magic 24/7 Glide-On Double-Ended Eye Pencil Set to a few people this year. It comes with four double sided liners in all wearable shades.  I think it makes a great gift, not only because I love Urban Decay liners, but also because people tend to purchase black or brown liner for themselves and this encourages them to play.  – yours truly Aromatherapy Associates Bath Jewels - This London-based brand makes the BEST bath oils, and every time I use mine, I feel like all of my cares drift away. The blends smell wonderful, and you need only a few drops to create a wonderful escape, so these little bottles will last a while. This is an especially good gift for people who are always taking care of others—it pretty much forces them to slow down and pamper themselves for once. - Annie Tomlin, TheGlowHow.com

I love the Benefit 3 Scoops O's Sexy, which boasts three tinted lip balms in their stunning, wearable shades for a sheer, pretty look. Benefit does festive packaging right; any gal would love to be on the receiving end of this set. - Amber Katz, Rouge18.com

Boscia Tsubaki Secrets is a pretty fabulous gift for just about anyone. I'm a personal believer in one, cleansing oil and two, a konjac sponge- it's the beauty item you never knew you'd love. - Jamie Stone, HonestlyJamie

I happen to extra super duper love this herbal tea from David's Tea, because it tastes like drinking a homemade caramel cake, smells even better, and magically has no calories. I'm giving it to all the gals in my family this year, and even though it comes in a chic stainless tin it's super affordable. - Bryce Gruber, LuxurySpot

I'm all about giving this season is a glamsquad gift card. I mean, seriously -- for $50 (10% off if you join their mailing list - and i mean, duh, obviously anyone would) - a stylist will come to your home or office (or anywhere you want, really) and give you a runway-ready blowout. I've had them come as early as 7 am, as late as 10 pm, and they are always amazing - that's useful for everything from job interview to booty call, which I think makes it the best gift of all. – Aly Walansky, ALittleAlyTude

I'm bringing every host a Givenchy's Les Mini Prismes this season. The packaging looks like those vintage steamer trunks that people used to bring on the Orient Express. Each drawer looks impossibly dainty but houses every makeup essential you need, from shimmery blush to saturated shadows to tools and a mirror. It's $39 at Sephora. Not bad, considering that a Givenchy Antigona bag will run you about $3,000. - Polly Blitzer, BeautyBlitz

I am obsessed with these mini Sugar Lip Treatments from Fresh! Not only do they keep lips hydrated (a must for the winter!), but they also leave just the amount of color and can be used under or over lipsticks. They also smell delicious and who wouldn't want yummy smelling lips for the holiday season?! - Andrea Arterbery, TheArtofBerry

I love spreading the gospel of lipstick, so this year I'll be giving the Lipstick Queen Discovery Set at Space NK, $48, which includes my all time favorite lipstick Medieval. It's the best translucent red in the world, and it looks good on every skintone. Plus, you get a classic nude and sheer, shimmery pink. So basically a lipstick for every occasion. One Lipstick Queen lipstick on its own is about $22, making this trio a really good deal. - Courtney Dunlop, youlookgreatingreen

Philosophy's Sparkly Time of Year - It's Philosophy- so obviously obsessed. Lip glosses are always fun to give because there's no such thing as having too many. While they may be stocking-sized products, it allows you to try out so many of their different delicious scents. It may give them a new favorite one!  – Emily Rekstis, BeautySweetSpot contributor

When it comes to beauty gifts, I love giving people gift sets from brands I adore so they can discover it for themselves too. Ole Henriksen is up there on my list of must haves, and this Unwrap Your Radiance set has my can't-live-without Truth Serum in it. – Sheyma Azam, BeautyandtheFeastBlog

Alexis Bittar for Sephora Liquid Gold Compact - This compact is a little sculpture you can keep in your purse. The size and shape make it easy to find in your bag. Also, it's  24-karat gold-plated, which is kind of ridiculous and amazing in a Wolf of Wall Street way. – Liesa Goins, freelance beauty editor

In the freezing winter with dry heat pumping through the vents, it’s important to hydrate your skin as much as possible. Kiehl’s Crème de Corps is so nourishing, and 100% of the proceeds from their limited edition holiday versions support Feeding America—that’s a win-win in my book. I love cute Normal Rockwell packaging this year, and the convenience of a pump. I think this jumbo bottle would put a smile on anyone’s face. – Joanna Douglas, Yahoo! Beauty

Emmy Beauty Predictions from the Best in the Biz

Sunday is Emmy Day, one of my favorite awards shows!  Not only is Homeland nominated for 'Best Drama Series', but so are Claire Danes and Damian Lewis for 'Best Actress & Best Actor in a Drama.'  Imagining a sweep.  You with me?  Either way, I know one things for sure, your eyes will be glued to the red carpet!  Here are some beauty predictions for TV's biggest night from yours truly and some of my friends, the best on the web. I think we'll see a combination of wine stained matte and nude glossy lips complimenting  "undone, done hair."  Nail art will still be in play for some of the younger actresses, but for the most part, nude nails will take center stage.

I predict we'll see toned-down glamour: fewer big barrel curls and more undone waves. And I'll be shocked if there's nail art — or much nail color at all, actually.  - Annie Tomlin, Beauty Director of Refinery 29

I'm predicting a lot of half-up 'dos. I think the long, side-parted waved look is finally played out (since it's been officially A Thing since 2003) and updos are typically more common at the Oscars for a more formal feel. I think we'll see some straight half-up looks with height. Of which, I'm a fan. - Amber Katz, Founder of Beauty Blogging Junkie

If the runways at NYFW were any indication, we'll see lots of off-white and nude nails - although I wouldn't write off nail art just yet, just expect it to be toned down (like rhinestones and appliqués on nude nails!). I also expect at least one celeb to debut a new "lob" (aka long bob!) and at least some plum lips! - Alexis Wolfer, Founder of The Beauty Bean

I'm predicting a lot of jewel tone dresses (royal blue, deep purple, etc) and I agree with Alexis, there will definitely be a few "lobs"! - Jamie Stone, Founder of Queen of the Quarter Life Crisis

I think we'll be seeing more relaxed, soft waves than usual—the world of hair is all about what's touchable right now. - Beth Shapouri, Blogger for Glamour's Girls in the Beauty Department

I'm predicting we'll see some gorgeous red and berry lips in both matte and glossy textures, as well as more subdued nail art. I think we're past the stages of crazy nails, so we'll see things like nude with a small gold stone or an inverted French. And of course, fingers are crossed for someone to debut a fabulous new haircut, but you can hardly predict that one... - Rachel Adler, Beauty Director of Beauty High

I'm predicting a move away from all the romantic curls we saw in the past and a lot more sleek straight looks.  I love the Emmys, beause I feel like they are a little less HUGE in the glamour.  The stars look more like "people" -- while the mermaid curls may come out for the oscars!  Also, I'm assuming there'll be a chance in the nail art we see - nail art was SO big last year, but now post-runways, we seem to be seeing more subtle (classic, actually) looks.  Also there was a lot of pretty bold lips on the NYFW runways this year. I hope it stays! - Aly Walansky, Founder of A Little Aly Tude

I'm expecting that the Emmy celebs will take a cue from the New York runways, and we'll see a few bold orange lips, hair down and in messy waves (glam post-grunge), and nude nails in tones of peach, beige and cream. - Nadine Jolie - Founder of Nadine Jolie

Sunless Tanning Tips from Yours Truly with AOL Stylist

You know me, a true self tanning addict.  That's why when AOL Stylist reached out about the opportunity to film a self tanning how-to with the gorgeous Teni of MissMaven, I jumped at the chance.  Plus, the product is a must-have. Watch the video to learn more.

Bloggers Share the Craziest Things That Happened During NY Fashion Week

It's the first day of NYFW and I've been covering backstage since the spring of 2006, which makes this my 13th season attending.  Woah!  That's crazy!  Besides doing our jobs to bring you the news from backstage and front row, my friends and I have experienced some pretty crazy things through out the years.  Here are our top "OMG" moments: I'll kick it off with a story from when I worked at Cosmopolitan magazine.  I was attending the Zac Posen show for the first time.  Zac Posen, my favorite designer.  Being that he's an investor in the line, Diddy (yes, as in Sean Combs) was sitting in the front row.  I couldn't believe that 1. I was at a Zac Posen fashion show at 22 years old and 2. I was there with Diddy. I was obsessed with him.  So what did I do?  I obviously let my 22-year-old self get the best of me and followed Diddy backstage after the show.  I did not belong there!  Zac and friends were popping champagne so I decided to act like I belonged and joined in!  OMG.  I got a pic with my main man, Diddy, who at the time was there with Kim Porter (and preggers w his twins).  Post show I watched him get into his Rolls Royce and allow Kim walk in the rain pregnant to hail a cab.  I lost all respect!

The craziest thing I ever experienced during NYFW would definitely be when I saw L.A.M.B - and it was Gwen Stefani's very first show.  I've been obsessed with all things Gwen since I was 12 years old and getting to see her debut collection at Bryant Park AND having a reserved seat (with my name and all! LOL) was a top 20 highlight of my life. - Jamie Stone, QueenoftheQuaterLifeCrisis.com

The craziest thing I've experienced was the party to celebrate Kim Kardashian's spot as beauty editor at OK magazine (it was a short-lived gig). It was a major affair with a ton of beauty execs, editors and bloggers and totally over-the-top, Kim-style. Unfortunately it was at that event that we learned Patrick Swayze passed away, losing his years-long battle with cancer. But the DJ played an amazing line-up of tribute songs to the fallen star including Time Of My Life and everyone celebrated a little Johnny Castle moment in his honor. And no one was in a corner, obviously. - Amber Katz, BeautyBloggingJunkie.com

I had a pretty typical jam-packed day of 5 shows, an event and somehow decided to post an exclusive editorial during all of this as well, which meant that I had to schedule a phone interview in the midst of the chaos. So, my event obviously ran an hour late and I had missed the phone interview call. I went running down the street to hail a cab (with a coffee in one hand, mind you) jump in and interview a very well-known makeup artist with a cup of coffee between my legs during the most nauseating cab ride I've ever been in while scribbling notes on the back of press sheets from shows and partially on my bare legs. In that moment I realized that fashion week had won. - Rachel Adler, BeautyHigh.com

Even though it was only the first week of my senior year at Barnard, since I was Fashion Assistant at FHM, I somehow managed to score a 2nd row invite to my very first show: Betsey Johnson. As you can imagine, little 21-year-old me was nearly passing out from excitement. (It was one of my first celebrity sightings, too: Kimora Lee Simmons, in all her giantess glory! Seriously, in heels, she's like 7 feet tall.) The dresses were candy-colored tutu confections and the champagne was especially delicious since I'd just turned legal. The memory is bittersweet, however, because for me that show represents a New York City that no longer exists. The location? Tavern on the Green. The date? September 10, 2001. - Nadine Jolie, NadineJolie.com

I've always been a huge fan of Herve Leger. The bandage style sucks you in and creates curves you never even knew you had! So, I was beyond thrilled when I had the chance to borrow an outfit to wear to Herve Leger's Fall 2012 show. I chose a black and blue dress with neon green piping. When I walked into Lincoln Center I felt a little self-conscious. As much as I adored the dress it was certainly a statement for a daytime show. But backstage I ran into designer Max Azria. He commented on how he loved the color and gave me a kiss on the cheek. It was a major OMG moment. I took my seat smiling from ear to ear. - Sydne Summer, SydneStyle.com

All kinds of craziness has happened over the years, but the top memorable was the time I covered my first season as a beauty intern at Women's Wear Daily. I was super green around the ears and was told to do backstage beauty interviews. So exciting! I interviewed this one amazing makeup artist who have me all kinds of great quotes and tips. Unsure of her name, I asked her to spell it for verification purposes. She stopped what she was doing, asked me if I was serious, and then grabbed my notebook. In big huge letters she wrote "PAT MCGRATH." I died. Luckily she laughed it off and told me that I had a lot more learning to do if I was going to make it in the industry. Boy was she right! (And yes I still have that piece of paper w/her name on it lol.) - Andrea Arterbery, GlamazonsBlog.com

Years ago, the very first season I did *anything* remotely fashion week, during the week I went to Robert Verdi's lounge - at a time in history I didn't even know who he was! One of the brands that was sponsoring it that season had done a stupid early  breakfast (and we know how well I handle schlepping from Brooklyn for early AM things) - and I was pre-coffee and somewhat drowsy as I dazedly walked out of the elevator, saw some people I knew on the inside and started to excitedly wave - and then walked FACE FIRST into his glass doors (not realizing there were doors there at all!) - Patrick and Ashley (who at that time I didnt' even know) saw, and had looks of abstract horror on their face as their rushed to open the door (which, was after all, A DOOR0, and let me in, and I had the most unattractive bloody nose EVER - right in the middle of the lounge's kitchen area. Sexy. They were all SUPER nice about it (though I was a complete asshole). - Aly Walansky, ALittleAlyTude.com