Bellissima

Liz Earle calls this product Superbalm because it comes to the rescue in a million different ways — much like Superman! This salve is a great remedy for dry cuticles, chapped lips, scaly heels, rough elbows and hands, frizzy hair, and as a barrier cream against extreme weather conditions. It is made from 100-percent pure plant oils and waxes, echinacea, vitamin E, soothing lavender, softening rose hip, and moisturizing avocado. Now you can understand where its amazing and calming aroma comes from!

Using Superbalm is easy: Just massage a little bit into your hands and spread it on your body. Be warned that a little goes a long way, so if you plan to use it on your lips, you really won't need much. Consider Superbalm your new and improved version of that jar of Vaseline that's been sitting on your bathroom shelf for ages. The formula is less greasy and even the big tub is light to tote around. Superbalm is available in a 1-oz. jar for $26.50 and in a .1-oz. mini container for $8. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Welcome to the first installment of my five-part series on brightening products for the face. Brightening creams, primers and foundations are easy and effective solutions for perking up tired-looking eyes and skin. They are safe, bleach-free formulas that are usually created with light-reflecting pigments to give your skin a well-rested, healthy and alive look. Makeup artists have been using these products for years, so it's time that you knew about the many different options in this category too!

Shiseido Makeup Brightening Veil SPF 24 ($32) is a colorless face primer that helps minimize the appearance of dullness, uneven skin and freckles for an all around radiant complexion. It contains Advanced Luminous Technology, which uses shimmer bits to create a soft, dewy and lustrous glow. It glides on like velvet and is extremely moisturizing. It is most effective when worn alone or under your favorite foundation. Available in one universal sheer shade.

For two more brightening face primers, read more

Oh yeah! Did you ever think it was possible to fall in lust with your makeup? This new Nars Night Series Mini Eye Shadow Palette from the Siren Song 2007 Holiday Collection is swoon-worthy. Perfect for any night out, but especially New Year's Eve, this palette contains colors from the "night" line. It features two new shades from the latest collection: Night Song and Night Rider.

Plus, for $55 you get six shadows that are about half the size of a full single eyeshadow. Since one of those sells for $21, it's not a bad deal, eh? Keep in mind that these metallic shadows are pretty delicate, so you'll want to keep them protected so that they don't crumble. (I learned this the hard way.) Also, this is a limited-edition item, so there's not a whole lot of time to sit on the fence—so if you're going to go for it, do it quickly. I have a feeling this could be an item that sells out.

For a list and description of all six nighttime-inspired colors in the Nars Night Series Mini Palette, read more

Sometimes the old stuff is still the best! Bandostick ($25–$65) is the first product that hair gurus Ted Gibson and Jason Backe ever created. These sleek hair sticks have a hole at the top where a rubber band is threaded through so that you can easily create chignons, french twists and buns that stay in place all day.

The testimonials I've read are fantastic, and this product is very popular in Ted's salon. So far the only complaint is that eventually when the elastic stretches out, you've really got to stretch it to the max so that you can get it around your hair two or three times if necessary.

Fortunately for those of us on a budget, Ted has also created a less expensive version of his designer hair stick. Working with drugstore brand Scunci, he has launched the Hairdostick ($3). For ideas and instructions on how to use Bandostick to secure a french twist, chignon or bun, check out these pictures:

For a complete price list and color selection, read more

"Wow" is all I have to say about this new glamorous and rich-toned, holiday 2007 limited-edition Multi-Usage Makeup Palette ($67) from the Yves Saint Laurent Love Collection. Leave it to the big guns to create such an aesthetically pretty and make-you-feel-loved makeup palette. And for once—I do have to be fair here—the price really isn't all that outrageous for what you're getting.

Inside of the silver palette you'll find three eye shadows in Heavenly Beige, Magic Copper and Moonlit Burgundy, three lipsticks in Pure Garnet, Natural Beige and Bohemia Rose, one of their best-selling lip glosses in Golden Gloss, one highlighter in Starry Rose and one medium rose-colored blush (Tender Rose) that has been created in the shape of a giant heart. Do you love this palette as much as I do?

Most people need a little help learning how to apply makeup, and even if you're an expert, a little refresher course can't hurt. That's why I like Makeup Assignment ($29.95), an instructional DVD that shows you how to create a flattering, natural look from start to finish.

The 47-minute DVD is hosted by makeup artist Monique Powers, whose friendly disposition makes her a great host. She's natural in front of the camera, narrating each step in an easy-to-understand manner. Novices will appreciate how she demonstrates the proper way to apply foundation, the best way to camouflage blemishes, how to apply false eyelashes and more. The "lessons" are done in real time, so you won't miss any of the little details.

Is your interest piqued? Check out some of Monique's makeovers to get an idea of her abilities. As you can see, she works with a diverse group of real people, so women of all skin tones are represented in her portfolio and on the DVD.

Although this lipstick range is part of the Fall 2007 Play In The Darks collection by Clinique, that I told you about in late July, these three new shades of Almost Lipstick struck a chord when I realized that they are renditions of the ever-popular cult favorite Black Honey Almost Lipstick. At first I thought there was just one new version out called Black Plum, but I have recently learned about two more shades in Black Raspberry (bright, sheer pink) and Black Raisin (deep wine).

There's a reason I am so excited. These aren't just any lipsticks, they could arguably be some of the best lipsticks ever created. They look intimidatingly dark in the tube, but they glide on smooth and the result is a shiny, sheer and clean stain-like finish.

The shades are universally flattering (I swear, they really are) and one of these skinny tubes is packed with color that will last you a long, long time. Each of the colors are sold separately for $14. How do you feel about these new versions of Black Honey being added to the elite Almost Lipstick sisterhood?

If Jane Jetson were a real person, I bet she'd use Icy Beauty Re:Set ($65). It's a innovative concept in beauty, so much so that it's patented. As you'll see, it's very "the future is now."

Re:Set is perfect for jet-setters and those of us who work long hours. It promises to "eliminate evidence of fatigue by re-synchronizing the skin's circadian rhythm." In other words, it aims to trick your skin into thinking you've had a good night's sleep. It uses a peptide to mimic the effect that sunlight has on skin. But the really cool part is the delivery device. To find out about it, read more

A couple of weeks ago I told you about 24-hour Mascara from Prescriptives. Frankly, what worried me about this mascara was how to get it off! I understand that it's supposed to stay on for a full day, but to me that just sounds like insurance that it will make it through the night. Come bed time, I want my makeup off—and I don't want to have to scrub my eyes out to remove it, either.

Prescriptives must have been on the same wavelength, because I've just come across a makeup remover solvent to help solve my waterproof mascara problem.

Better Off Fast-Acting Waterproof Makeup Remover ($18) is like pulling out the big guns. It's a dual-phase formula to gently and efficiently lift away long-lasting and waterproof mascaras. There's no oily residual on your skin and it won't irritate your eyes. I wonder if Prescriptives can actually read minds—I think they've just become my favorite beauty brand of the month!

Clarins Fix' Mascara ($18) is a sealant top coat for your eyelashes. It's not a regular mascara; instead, it transforms any mascara that you already have into a waterproof mascara. Brilliant!

It is made from ultra-fine waxes and hectorite clay crystals that have been formulated into a transparent gel. The gel then binds to the lashes, making them waterproof and even smudge-proof. You can also use it alone to strengthen, soften and add a fantastically shiny luster to your lashes. Just one coat, and you can cry if you want to!