sephora brand

Everybody has some sort of embarrassing obsession, and mine is pore purging. Whenever I'm stressed, pushing blackheads out of my pores always calms me. (Sick, I know.) Since the bacteria on fingers can exacerbate acne, I bought Sephora's double loop extractor ($16) to help me get the gunk out cleanly.

The double-ended, stainless steel, made-in-Germany tool is meant to help with both blackheads and whiteheads. The thin, narrow loop is for oozing whiteheads, while the wider one is for digging out blackheads. For at least 30 minutes last night, I alternated between the two, giddily cleaning out my pores. This sucker helps you declog everything, and with a little help from a magnifying mirror, I was even able to get rid of blackheads on my earlobes. Delightfully gross. For instructions on doing this at home, read more

Hot pink lip glosses are a summertime must have. They're flirtier than a classic red and pack more punch than a pastel. Plus, they match all of this season's trendiest neon pink nail polishes. If you're willing to try wearing a bright and daring hot pink pout, below are five of my favorites for you to check out! (I'm a poet and didn't know it.)

• Sephora Brand Ultra-Shine Lip Gloss in Hot Pink ($15) is a semi-sheer, shimmery gloss with a sweet taste that glides on smooth and has a doe-foot applicator.
• Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Gloss in Brighten Pink ($25) is a sugary, sheer yet bright and smooth gloss that doesn't have an overbearing, synthetic scent.
• Stila It Gloss in Smashing ($18) is a creamy, not too bright punch of pink gloss that goes on more opaque than their famous click glosses, but is more sheer than a lipstick.
• Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Pink Popsicle ($19) is a bright pink shade that doesn't contain any shimmer. This gloss creates tons of shine, but the only drawback is the icky sticky factor (just warning you). It was a limited-edition color, but I've found some in stock if you act fast!
• Lancome Color Fever Lip Gloss in Volcanic Pink ($23) is by far the brightest and boldest pink I've ever worn. And although it looks shocking in the tube it goes on quite sheer. I like to pair it with a champagne shadow and black liquid eyeliner.

I've got a hefty laundry list of qualities I don't like about Heidi Montag, but what I do love are her gorgeous nails. Whether they're gold or burgundy, they are always long and perfectly manicured.

I thought that French manicures were on their way out, but then along comes Heidi and Britney Spears bringing this classic back again. Most of you think they're tacky and should be saved for formal occasions only. For the rest of you who are still loyal fans, here are two great at-home French manicure kits I think you'll love.

Sephora Easy French Manicure Duos ($8) is a double-ended nail varnish that houses either a beige or a pink color on one side and a clear base and topcoat on the other. However, if you're looking to create the white tip, you still need another product. I suggest this French Tip Pen ($8) since it's so easy to use.

For one more easy-to-use French manicure kit, read more

Summertime always breeds safe, fun, sunless bronzing products and I've noticed that a few of the new bronzing-powder compacts contain more than one shade in them. The idea is to create a healthy-looking glow, and I suppose the gradation of colors is a way to achieve that look. Instead of having a flat tan all over your face, the variation of shades creates a more natural effect. Here are five new multicolor powder bronzers on the market for Summer 2008 for you to check out.

• Shiseido The Makeup Multi-Shade Enhancer ($35) contains five shades of shimmery bronzer. Blended together, it can be worn on your face and body and used separately it can double as eye shadows or a highlighter. Also, it is available in two shades.
• Caribbean in a Compact in Sun Bunny ($25) is a dual-shaded bronzer made from silky, light-reflecting powders. Each of the colors can be worn individually or layered together.
• Lorac TANtalizer Baked Bronzer ($28) is a multishaded terracotta baked bronzer that can be used on your face or your body. This marbelized makeup also contains a brush and mirror on the lower level of the compact.
• Sephora Summer Safari Bronzer ($16) is a powder bronzer available in two animal prints depending on your skin tone. Giraffe is light and zebra is dark and coppery. Blend the shades together for a bright, glowy complexion.
• Smashbox Desert Chic Fusion Body Bronzing Powder and Brush Set ($55) contains four tan and bronze shades and comes with a mini-kabuki brush. This oversized bronzer can be worn on your face and body for a healthy, glowing tan.

This is definitely not the age of Tammy Faye Bakker — and although long, lush, and voluminous lashes are sought after, so is a clean, defined, no-makeup makeup look. These contrasting worlds have no room for clumpy, lumpy lashes. With these relatively inexpensive and super-small lash combs, you won't have to worry about your lashes being a beauty faux pas.

Tweezerman Folding Eye Lash Comb ($6.99) is a thin and tapered gold-plated comb that has been designed to painlessly glide through your mascara-coated lashes and remove anything that is stuck together or clumpy. Use it when your lashes are still a little wet in gentle, upward motions (away from your eyes).

Eco Tools Bamboo Lash and Brow Groomer (on sale for $2.99) is a long and slender environmentally-friendly eyelash comb and eyebrow brush. It is made from synthetic bristles and the ferule is made from recycled aluminum. Check out the cost, too. At $2.99 a pop, you can keep one stashed in all of your primping locations.

For one more eyelash comb, read more

After discovering my first glass nail file, I've been hooked. Unlike emery boards, glass nail files never go dull; they need only a quick rinse under the tap to be good as new. My Sephora file is a grid of teeny, tiny upraised rough glass nodules. Think frosted glass, but maybe a tad rougher. The file is thin, but sturdy enough for me to feel confident that it won't break when my klutzy self inevitably drops it on the floor.

You use it just like any other nail file, but it feels significantly less abrasive. There is no pulling or snagging on the nail tip, which prevents cracking, peeling, and splitting of the nails. In fact, it is so gentle that you can use it safely on acrylics or on damaged or fragile nails. The only drawback? Using it reminds some people of nails on the chalkboard. But if you're interested in checking out a glass file, it's a relatively inexpensive investment. A company called 95° and Sunny makes hand-painted ones — or you can always start out with my $8 special from Sephora.

I know it's some sort of unwritten rule that women are supposed to go gaga for everything Marc Jacobs does, but lately he's been turning out one stinker after another. I miss the quirky, nerdy Marc of yesteryear — the kind of designer who'd come up with something kooky and fun. Something like this collection of beauty accessories, actually.

After launching Daisy Marc Jacobs last year, he (okay, more accurately, his design team) has come up with a fresh, fun collection of beauty gear available exclusively at Sephora. The slightly retro floral design reminds me of something a cool girl in 1963 might have carried. Could this be a return to the days of Dorky Marc? My fingers are crossed.

To find out about each piece in the collection, read more