NARS Exotica Collection for Summer 2008

Gals, I hate to play favorites with my cosmetics, but when it comes to phenom eyeshadows, I do believe NARS holds the monopoly. Their vibrant, quality shades positively jump out of their compacts (which always include a mirror - no matter how small).

NARS' Summer 2008 Collection entitled Exotica (very grrr, baby) is their best yet. It features a sultry palette of edgy neutrals. Their textures and pigments are to DIE. You'll channel a seductress whether you like or not. Just saying. My faves?

Galapagos Single Eyeshadow ($22)
This is a bitter chocolate infused with gold that looks divine on a gal with a tan. I've been using it for my new version of smoky eyes created with bronze tones I like to call Amber Eyes, for obv reasons.

Unconditional Love Duo Cream Eyeshadow Matte ($32)
I want to marry this shadow duo, and to quote the smarmy Angela of American Beauty, have 10,000 of its babies. As someone who is too pale to really rock a light blue or green eye moment, I was most unexpectedly knocked off my socks by this creamy dreamy seafoam shadow. It imparts the most subtle, cool shade of greened-out blue. Instead of making me look corpse-like, it makes me look divine. It's very water nymph-let-loose-in-an-unsuspecting-world.

Here's a list of the Exotica lip shades:
* Supervixen Lip Gloss Sheer sparkling mauve $24
* Misbehave Lip Gloss Sheer cherry red with gold shimmer $24
* Mindgame Lipstick Sheer brandy $24
* Roman Holiday Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Delicate Pastel Pink $24
* Dolce Vita Velvet Matte Lip Pencil Dusty Rose $24

Drop the Thin Mints: Here's Another Way to Support Girl Scouts

There are so many mysteries. For instance, I wonder why Sweeney Todd didn't christen himself Todd Sweeney since he had a choice as that was not his original moniker. And who can guess why so many palettes are comprised of colors that work for half the population? I've never met a lip palette that housed colors that looked good on me. Until now. Enter Trish McEvoy's Be Prepared Pink Maxed Out Gloss Kit, $21.

Possibly the cutest compact ever, this double decker palette squeezes a stunning spectrum of natural-looking glosses and lip colors into an astonishing 1.5”L X 2.125”W mirrored space. All eight shades are delightfully wearable. Colors range from shimmery champagne to universally flattering pinky brown to deeper sparkly rose.

Best of all, net proceeds of the Gloss Kit will be donated to support the Girl Scouts.

Great Stocking Stuffers

The gloss everyone must rock, CO Bigelow has come out with a special soda fountain edition! It includes Vanilla Cola, Black Cherry Soda and Orange Cream. Seriously, if you don't own any of these, you simply must purchase some immediately. Personally, I own about 6 of them, and have fully used up about 3 already. Who actually uses an entire balm or gloss? I think this is a first. Usually something is invented by the time I'm still mid-tube that's vastly superior and alas, said tube gets relocated to my ever-growing gloss-drawer from my purse.

P.S. They're 3 for $15 right now at Bath & Body Works.
P.P.S. Black Cherry Soda tastes like a fancy maraschino cherry.