I like the grass-green nail polishes being released for spring/summer. Here are a few of my favorites:

Essie Nail Polish in Navigate Her, $8

butter London Nail Lacquer in Dosh, $14

Revlon ColorStay Nail Enamel in Bonsai, $8

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Green With Envy, $3

Love 21 Nail Polish in Avocado, $2.80

I have an irrational dislike of Jessica Biel (and didn’t care for the dress she wore to this year’s Golden Globes either), but I loved her darker hair color and fresh, pretty makeup.

Here’s a breakdown of her look from makeup artist Kara Bua for Chanel:

“I started Jessica’s look by applying CHANEL Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Makeup SPF 15 in Beige-Sable to her face, setting it with CHANEL Natural Finished Pressed Powder in Natural, and adding CHANEL Powder Blush in In Love to the cheeks for a healthy glow. I wanted to focus on popping the eyes with brown and taupe shades…I defined the eyes with the deep warm brown and taupe colors from the CHMANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Prelude, and applied the shimmery gold/champagne shades as highlights on the lid. I then added CHANEL Inimitable Intense Mascara in Noir on the top lashes and CHANEL Inimitable Intense Mascara in Brun on lower lashes for a more natural effect. And finished the look with the fresh looking Rouge Coco Hydrating Crème Lip Colour in Paradis. Healthy beautiful skin and warm corals on the cheeks and lips keeps the look so fresh!”

Get the look for less:

• The Body Shop Moisture Foundation SPF 15, $23
• Cover Girl Clean Pressed Powder Compact, $6
• Sue Devitt Gel to Powder Blush in Malay Reef, $20
• Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad in Designer Chocolate, $6
• MAC Naturally Lipstick in Chatterbox, $14.50

My first shower at home when we were discharged from the hospital on Monday was maybe the most amazing shower I’ve ever had. Although I’d showered in the hospital, you still can’t beat the comfort of being at home with your own bath products and your own towels and your intimate knowledge of just how hot the water temperature gets if you turn it a little bit more to the left.

But, one of the most luxurious moments of my shower were the few precious seconds spent exfoliating my face with my Clarisonic Mia2 that I got for Christmas. I know a lot has been written in praise of the Clarisonic on Tumblr already and the hype is well-deserved.

It’s fair to say that I’ve never had smoother skin than I do now, and I notice a huge difference in how my moisturizer works after exfoliating with the Clarisonic. I love the freedom to use whatever cleanser I wish and using it in the shower saves me the time washing my face in the sink. These days, I’ll take whatever extra time I get! Oh—and in the short time I’ve been using it, I already see a difference in the fine lines on my forehead. (I guess I frown too much!)

For $150, you can get the Clarisonic Mia2 (which operates at two speeds), but the original Clarisonic ($129) is more than sufficient. (Plus, I really love the jaguar print on this one!)

Do you have a Clarisonic? What do you think of it?

This past Friday I went for a prenatal massage at one of my favorite spas. It’s located in the middle of no where in suburban Maryland, but the spa itself is so chic and wonderful. (They’ll bring you warm brownies after your massage!)

As soon as I stepped into the lobby area, I knew I recognized the scent of the candles they were burning. It’s a heady, relaxing floral scent unlike any floral you’ve ever smelled. Red Flower’s Icelandic Moonflower scent is available in a body wash, candle and shampoo, conditioner and sea scrub, but if you have to choose one product, please choose the moisturizing lotion.

The scent lasts for hours, the bottle is pretty sitting on a desk or bedside table and you’ll be instantly addicted. A friend introduced me to the scent originally with a gift of a bottle of the lotion and I sped through it faster than I have any lotion I’ve ever owned…and that’s saying something. (I’m a lotion addict.)

If you’re looking for a last minute gift for yourself or for a friend/coworker, you can do no better than this body lotion and a fancy lip balm or two.

red flower Icelandic Moonflower Moisturizing Body Lotion, $24

Add some holiday cheer to your cosmetics bag with a few of the red and green items featured above.

1. Rimmel London Eyeliner, $3.19
2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Certainly Red”, $8
3. Deborah Lippman Glitter Nail Color in “Ruby Red Slippers”, $18
4. Perricone MD Hypoallergenic Gentle Cleanser, $39
5. Pre de Provence Red Currant Soap, $8
6. NARS Nail Polish in “Zulu”, $17
7. butter London Nail Polish in “Come to Bed Red”, $14
8. Ole Henriksen Fresh Lips, $15
9. Tarte Natural Beauty Cheek Stain, $30
10. Lola Cosmetics High Shine Lip Gloss, $18
11. Sephora Collection Lush Flush Lip & Cheek Stain, $12
12. The Body Shop Green Apple Bath & Shower Gel, $6

Do you have a female coworker who seems to have everything? An in-law that has you stumped because they’re never pleased with their gifts? Beauty gifts can help! They’re one of the easiest things to get someone who is hard to shop for.

[If you’re on the Tumblr dashboard, please click through to the post for optimal viewing.]

1. Birchbox Subscription, $30-$110
2. Sephora by OPI Glitter & Sparkle Set, $28
3. LUSH Snow Fairy Gift Set, $23
4. Philosophy The Gingerbread Man Bath & Shower Gel, $16
5. Pacifica Magic Carpet Ride Body Butters Gift Set, $28
6. Fresh Sake Bath & Candle Set, $80
7. Deborah Lippmann Holiday Mini Trio Set, $29
8. Stila Dream In Full Color Palette, $39
9. Bliss Snow Wonder Set, $29
10. Lancome Golden Hat Holiday Rouge in Caprice, $29
11. Apothecary Soap Set, $20
12. Kate Spade Twirl Gift Set, $85
13. Ann Taylor Makeup Bag, $28
14. Dior Holiday Deluxe Palette, $77

See the rest of the 2011 Holiday Gift Guides here.

I was flipping through the latest issue of Lucky magazine and noticed this great line-up of classic drugstore products. I’ve used some, heard of others and a few were brand new to me, but I thought it would be great to link to the products they rounded up and add a few of my own favorites as well.

1. Murray’s Hair Dressing Pomade, $4
2. Jean Nate After Bath Splash Mist, $7
3. Goody Elastic Ball, $7 for 100 - I always lose ponytail elastics. These things are a lifesaver!
4. Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, $5 - Every magazine falls over itself for Great Lash, but I actually think this stuff is way over-hyped. I’ve never been impressed and find it wimpy. I like a bold mascara and this one never delivered for me.
5. Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo, $5 - Don’t be turned off by the fact that it’s for dandruff. I used to use this shampoo once a week or so just to get my hair really clean (it strips out product without being drying or damaging).
6. Degree Women Antiperspirant & Deodorant Invisible Solid, Shower Clean, $3.50 - I’m actually not impressed with Degree’s “women” formulas. I prefer the men’s invisible solid varieties. If you have a more severe problem with wetness, try combining men’s Degree with Certain-Dri. 
7. Aveeno Bath Treatment, $4 
8. Gillette Venus Embrace Razor, $13 - The Embrace razor was Gillette’s answer to the once-superior Schick Quattro. The Embrace is now comparable to that razor…and maybe better.
9. Psssssst Instant Dry Shampoo, $7 - I’ve never tried this dry shampoo, but it’s $7—way cheaper than most of the “designer” alternatives out there. 
10. Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer, $8.50 - I’ve written about my love for this stuff before, but I can’t overstate how much I love it. Don’t fall for the competitor versions of it either: the original formula is best.
11. Visine Original, $8 
12. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream with SPF, $15 - You really can’t beat this price for a moisturizer with anti-wrinkle properties and SPF.
13. Biore Ultra Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, $7.50 - I think I read an article once that these pore strips don’t actually do anything particularly beneficial (or different than a cleanser), but there’s something so satisfying about using them anyway.
14. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Creme, $6 - This stuff is totally amazing. I’m a fan of the John Frieda line in general, but some of the styling products are really out of this world good.
15. L’Oreal Paris Elnett Hairspray, $15 - It’s not a legendary, best-selling hairspray for nothing. I don’t love hairspray and find that it weighs down my hair too much (I also hate how you can’t restyle after using it), but that’s the beauty of Elnett: you can brush it out and start over.
16. Tresemme Smooth & Silky Conditioner, $4.49
17. Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes, $6 
18. Aquaphor Healing Skin Ointment, $5.49 - The best moisturizing creme you can get at a drugstore.
19. Finesse Moisturizing Shampoo, $4 
20. Lip Smacker Dr. Pepper Lip Balm, $1.99 - I loved this stuff as a kid, but was happy to find it again in the past few years and discover that it really gives you a perfect sheer wash of color.
21. Pantene Flat to Volume Shampoo & Conditioner, about $5 each - I used this for a while and really liked it. I’m a Pantene fan and found this formula to be similar to the Pantene Classic formula that I also love.

Here’s a few more classics I think should have been included in Lucky’s list:

Cetaphil Daily Face Cleanser, $5.49 - Even someone with super-sensitive skin will be able to handle this light, non-scented cleanser.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power Cream Wash, $8 - Brandon actually started using this first and after I tried it, I really liked it too. It has enough of a lather to feel like you’re getting a deep, thorough clean and I like the non-medicinal, fresh scent.

Almay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $6 - I wear more eye makeup than any other kind of cosmetic, so I need a heavy-duty eye makeup remover. I’ve been using this one for more than 10 years and have never found anything better. Make sure you grab the oil-free version, NOT the moisturizing version—unless you like to have oil slicks around your eyes for days.

What are some of your favorite drugstore finds?

I’m obsessed with my new Maybelline Baby Lips balm. I couldn’t decide which color to get, so went with Pink Punch because I tend to gravitate to lighter pink/nude shades. I love how this one looks on: a wash of pink that’s fun without being garish. The texture is somewhere between a lip balm and a creamy lipstick, and I have to warn that I didn’t find it as moisturizing as the packaging promised. Fortunately, the other positives (great color, cute packaging, easy application) make up for the fact that it’s not as moisturizing as a “true” lip balm. Keep some Carmex handy and you’ll be fine.

Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balm, $3.99

Skincare products don’t have to be expensive to be effective. Although I usually don’t like giving skincare tips on my blog because everyone reacts differently to various products, I thought I’d share a few things that make my life a whole lot easier.

One disclaimer: I am so not a skincare person. My sister, on the other hand, has this huge, 30-minute nightly regimen and is constantly suggesting products to me. I rarely get my eye makeup off before dragging myself under the covers. But, when I do make an effort, this is about as high-maintenance as I get.

1. Olay Complete All Day UV Moisturizer, $8 - This is the only moisturizer I’ll use. It’s fragrance-free, has SPF and feels light on my skin. 
2. Proactiv Advanced Blemish Treatment, $17 - I swear by this spot treatment. If I even feel like I’m getting a blemish, I dab this stuff on and let it do its thing. A few times (I kid you not) I’ve put it on a blemish before going to sleep and it’s gone in the morning. Miracle juice, I tell you!
3. Paula’s Choice Weekly Resurfacing Treatment, $29 (c/o) - I try to use this once a week because it makes such a huge difference when I do. It brightens my skin and makes it crazy smooth.
4. Sibu Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser, $18 (c/o) - I like exfoliating cleansers and this one really impressed me. Exfoliating cleansers can sometimes feel like scouring pads on my face and I’m not really too interested in taking off an entire layer of skin at a time. This one doesn’t do that. 
5. Proactiv Revitalizing Toner, $14 - Even if I’m too lazy to wash my face, I never skip toner. It’s the one skincare product I truly swear by for my skin and this one isn’t overly drying.
6. Striking Eye Cream, $35 - My lifeguarding/tanning oil years are finally catching up to me. This eye cream moisturizes like crazy, but also makes it look like I’ve gotten some sleep even when I haven’t. Also, I notice a huge difference in fine lines when I use it regularly.
7. Jergens Natural Glow Foaming Daily Moisturizer, $10 - I love this Natural Glow stuff, but when they made a foaming one, I was over the moon. It dries fast, is NEVER streaky and is a necessity throughout the winter months. 
8. Olay Daily Lotion Plus Shimmer, $7.50 - I use this every night and on my legs whenever I’m going out in a skirt or dress. Don’t be put off by the word “shimmer.” It’s really subtle and just gives off a pretty glow. 
9. Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm, $7 - This tinted lip balm is fantastic. Between this and Carmex, I’m pretty much set. One word of advice: make sure you buy Burt’s Bees’ tinted lip balm and NOT their lip shimmer. I’ve found the shimmer incredibly drying. 

What are you must-have products? Any recommendations for me?

It’s almost National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), and to help support the cause, many retailers have paired up with different breast cancer support organizations to donate full or partial proceeds from the sale of given items.

Like many of you, breast cancer has touched women in my family and is a cause I feel strongly about. The way I look at is that if you’re going to be shopping anyway, why not purchase something that will help someone else?

P.S. Be sure to check the fine print before ordering/purchasing any items. Some proceed donations do not kick in until October 1st.

Here are a few things I found:

1. Avon Nailwear Pro in Pink Power, $3 (100% of net profit donated to Avon Breast Cancer Crusade)
2. Betsey Johnson Stud Earrings Set, $38 (Portion of proceeds donated) 
3. AK Anne Klein Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet, $30 ($50,000 of proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
   
4. Coach BCRF Scarf, $68 (20% of this purchase donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation) 
5. Sephora Collection BCA Color Palette, $15 (Sephora will donate $1 from the sale of this product to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
6. Teleflora Pink Hope & Courage Bouquet, $70 (Teleflora will donate 15% of the purchase price to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation)
7. Smashbox O-Gloss, $22 (The entire $22 purchase price from the sale of this O-Gloss product will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® between October 1 and October 31, 2011)
8. Imagine Candle, $15 (25% of purchase price donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure)