New [to me] Beauty Favorites.

NARS Velvet Gloss lip pencil in New Lover— True story: last week I was running late to an event in Times Square and I was literally applying this while crossing the street and dodging tourists (I know). I didn’t get to see the finished result until a few hours later, and I was pleasantly surprised by its the sheer rosy glow that survived a no-mirror-application and cocktails!

Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation— I’ve been faithfully using HD foundation for a few years now, but after reading so many glowing reviews I had to try this. The lovely ladies at Sephora gave me a tester to see how it worked with my skin, and after one week I was back to buy the bottle. The silky formula allows your skin to look like skin, with a less drying finish. The coverage is sheer, but it builds easily to cover blemishes or dark spots. I found that I like the look of the foundation better when applied with a foundation brush.

Avon Ideal Luminous Blush in Earthen Rose— Some days, pink blush is just not the look I want, but my skin still needs some healthy warmth. This amazing blush gives skin that glow reminiscent of summer, without sparkles or sheen. Anyone with a fair to medium skin tone, looking for a matte bronzer— look no futher!  Plus, you really can’t beat this price tag of $8.

OCC Lip Tar in Strumpet— I have been hunting everywhere for these lip tars and finally Sephora carries them in-store and online. They are rich pigments (vegan + cruelty free) that require the tiniest drop to cover the lips in matte, fast-drying color. Word to the wise— you’ll need a mirror and lip brush to apply it.

L’Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black— I’m not a faithful to any one mascara, so I am constantly trying out new ones to find the be-all-end-all that’s under $9. This super-black formula glides in with the thick brush to coat and curl my otherwise stubbornly straight lashes. Best part? It didn’t flake or leave my lashes feeling like they were sprayed with Elnett, instead they were super soft and fluttery.

What are your new favorites for Fall?

Disclosure: Avon sent me an editorial sample, free of obligation. All opinions expressed are my own.

My Favorite Mascaras.

To love a mascara, it has to have 3 important properties— it must be super black in color, no-flake or residue around the eye area, and it must be user-friendly— no gimmicks. 

Here are a few favorites that range from designer to drugstore that really do the job:

Trish McEvoy High Volume —this hi-tech formula creates a tube around each lash so it literally won’t budge.

Dior Diorshow —even with the steep price tag, I find myself splurging for this now and again for the volume and curl it imposes.

Benefit BAD gal —gives me fluttery lashes & the bigger the brush, the better.

L’Oreal Collagen —stays on all day (even in a heat wave) and the wiry brush coats even the hard to reach lashes.

Maybelline Waterproof Volum’ Express —a truly waterproof formula, for less than $7, with a foolproof brush.

Covergirl Natureluxe —the inky, mousse-like texture gives my lashes a glossy finish and the plastic bristles work like a built-in separator.