Former model and aesthetician Yara Shoemaker is the author of the new book Health On Your Plate. She shares her natural beauty tips and recipes In addition to speaking about her passion for healthy cooking. She covers her history of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, shows how to build confidence in the kitchen, shows how to review, revive and renew your pantry, how to make traditional cultural dishes with exotic flavors and a healthy twist, and more. She also has lots of tips on her blog: Yara’s Way! 

She discusses her passion below:

I’ve always believed that people are in greater need of nutrition than food. My grandmother says that more people die from a full plate than an empty one. I found this to be especially true when I moved here seven years ago from my native Syria, where meals were cooked at home with ingredients bought fresh from the market. Here, I was lost among the colorful packaging and clever marketing in the supermarket aisles. But faster and easier doesn’t mean tastier or healthier, and after I fell in love with a wonderful man (now my husband), I became more concerned for my health and that of my loved ones. I was determined to extend our “expiration dates.”

Love inspired my mission to understand the source of life: food. I gathered a team and dedicated three years of my life to researching every tool and ingredient in my kitchen, complementing modern knowledge with my grandmother’s traditional wisdom. The elders of her village are energetic and disease-free, and I aspired to understand their graceful way of aging. I decided to stock my kitchen to match my grandmother’s as closely as possible. Memories of her cooking inspired me to choose earthenware pots instead of non-stick cookware, and it turns out that scientific evidence supports that choice.

Just like food is more than bright packaging and catchy slogans, beauty is more than the creamy concoctions and promises marketed to us. Growing up, I often saw my mother in the kitchen before bedtime, not making a midnight snack, but blending a pinch of this with a hint of that to create her own natural beauty treatments. These simple solutions have been passed down through generations of women in my family, and I am excited to share these secrets with women around the world to enhance their health and natural beauty. I think every woman feels best about her body when it’s healthy both inside and out, so I was sure to include many natural beauty recipes in my book.

Enjoy these simple solutions to a more naturally beautiful you!

• In a blender, combine a large handful of clean, dry spinach leaves with one egg yolk. Spread the mixture on your face, let rest for half an hour, then wash off with warm water. This is great for moisturizing dry skin and easing sun damage!
• For an intense mask to give your hair strength and shine, combine equal amounts olive, castor and coconut oils, add one crushed garlic clove and mix well. Massage the mixture into your hair and let rest under a shower cap for three hours. While waiting, make a strong infusion of chamomile and fresh lemon juice. Wash your hair with the infusion to remove the garlic scent, then wash again with your preferred shampoo.
• To exfoliate your skin and reduce the appearance of pores, wash your face with freshly squeezed juice from an overripe tomato. Wait half an hour, then rinse your face with warm water.
• To soothe dry patches of skin, rub in a drop of sesame oil. Wash off the excess with soap and water. This is great for chapped lips!
• To reduce eye puffiness, take some thin slices of potato. Let them rest over your eyes for half an hour, then gently wash with warm water.
• For oily skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and lightening dark spots, mix equal parts lemon juice and olive oil. Spread this on your face and let rest for two hours, then wash well with soap and warm water. A special note: this should only be done before bed, and you should wash your face well before the next morning. Lemon juice can make your skin very prone to sun damage!

This excerpt comes from my new book, Health On Your Plate; a complete resource for your optimal healthy lifestyle! It’s the quick guide to everything you need to know, from the healthiest cookware and appliances, to essential spices, produce and ingredients every kitchen should have and how to shop for them. I even uncover eye-opening, little-known food mysteries that will help keep you and your family healthy and safe. And you can look forward to my easy, versatile recipes that help you get creative in the kitchen to make incredibly healthy and delicious meals, as well as natural beauty solutions!

Whether it’s for your own mom, you’re a mom yourself and you’re throwing out hints, you’re the best mom ever to your four-legged friends and they can’t shop without opposable thumbs, or none of the above and you’re looking for an excuse to treat yourself, check out the Mother’s Day gift ideas below!

Anastasia Soare is the innovator behind Anastasia Beverly Hills. A well-known brow expert, she’s the go-to beauty specialist for celebrities. Her line includes brow accessories such as tools, brow prep, brow fix and brow serum in addition to gorgeous eye shadows and lip glosses. Her new Bold & Beautiful Kit is one-stop shopping for brows and eyes. The travel-friendly kit is perfect for the office or on the go. Check out some eyebrow tips here. 

Anastasia describes the two-volume set: “Bold brows and beautiful eyes are the easiest way to pull together a fashionable makeup look, and are easily attained with the Bold & Beautiful Kit. Volume 1 for Bold Brows features a brow powder, brow pomade to set and tint and a professional dual-ended brow brush to expertly define and groom your brows. It also includes a mini stainless steel tweezer to perfectly shape your brows. My favorite part about this brow palette is the brow pomade, which sets and tints the brows for a bold, all day finish. Volume 2 is for Beautiful Eyes, and it includes four gorgeous neutral matte and shimmer shades that you can build for any look you want. They look great on any skin tone and can be worn wet or dry.” (Available at Sephora.com.)

For other gift ideas:

The new LCN Gold Care Set takes the gold theme full on! It includes the Precious Gold Cream, a lavish cream with real gold for moisture-binding capability along with grape seed oil and jojoba oil. The Caviar Deluxe Scrub is a sugar crystal scrub with caviar extract to improve micro-circulation in addition to sunflower seed oil and grape seed oil. And the Mono Eyeshadow in Golden Sun is a shadow rich in shea butter to glide onto lids for a golden pop of color. (Available at lcnboutique.com.)

Simple is a new line with budget-conscious people in mind. Their skincare for the face is designed for even the most sensitive skin. It’s hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and pH balanced. The range includes alcohol-free cleansing, exfoliating and oil-balancing Facial Wipes, foaming, moisturizing and refreshing Facial Wash, Moisturizer with SPF and Night Cream. (Available at drugstores.)

POND’S Luminous Line joins the rest of the classic beauty products used by generations of women. Joining the Luminous Clean Cream Cleanser, Luminous Clean Daily Exfoliating Cleanser and Luminous Clean Wet Cleansing Towelettes is the new Luminous Moisture Day Lotion with SPF 15 – a light, non-greasy lotion with UVA/UVB protection. (Available at drugstores.)

S.O.A.P.’s new Blueberry Fresh Whipped Shea Butter is an ultra-refined Shea Butter from Africa to soften even the roughest skin with a subtle and sweet fragrance, and a formula that moisturizes and absorbs quickly without greasy residue. (Available at Soapdc.com.)

Kiss My Face has created gift baskets that bundle all natural skin care. The All Olive Collection is a collection of soaps, moisturizers, shaves and balms, all featuring the unique benefits of olive oil. The Spa Collection is an eight-piece spa collection of premium body care products including serum, mask, toner and others. (Available at KissMyFace.com.)

Pacifica is well-known for their commitment to the environment through their manufacturing and recycling practices and their partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. The Deluxe Collection features a Soy Candle and Reed Diffuser in their signature fragrances: Hawaiian Ruby Guava, Indian Coconut Nectar, Island Vanilla, Tahitian Gardenia, Tuscan Blood Orange and one of my favorites, French Lilac. (Available at pacificaperfume.com.)

April showers bring May colors…

MAKE UP FOR EVER Director of Artistry, Jenn Karsten contributes her views on spring trends:

For Spring 2013 it’s all about minimalism. The looks are graphic, monochrome, and then there is a splash of cultural print injected in to shift dresses, kimono-style jackets and leathers of all texture and tone. It is more important than ever to make your total look an effort in styling.

PRO Tip: Play one signature feature off of perfected, sculpted skin and groomed perfect details. Black, white, camel, emerald green, lapis blue are the go-to colors to get it right.

Eyes: It’s a retro liner with a light matte lid and a softly sculpted crease. Liner is classic, black and tucked neatly into the roots. Use a cream black liner pot, MAKE UP FOR EVER – AQUA BLACK, and a small, firm liner or angle brush. Start by wiggling the liner in between the roots of lashes before you paint the line across the top. On top, always start in the center of lids to mark the width of the top line, then from outer corner sweep liner in to meet the mark. Finish the inner corners by sweeping liner in to meet the mark from the other side. It is easy as one, two, three! Don’t go over-dramatic by extending way out or flicking up the ends. Just keep it simple. Finish with a jet black mascara to “fan” the lashes, especially on ends. I like MAKE UP FOR EVER – SMOKY LASH.

Lips: Play a bold, over-saturated lip color off of sculpted cheeks and eyes. Try bold, bright fuchsias, electric oranges and cherry reds. Line, define and blot to perfect and make it last all day. I love MAKE UP FOR EVER ROUGE ARTIST INTENSE #36 AND AQUA LIP 16C for bold bright fuchsia lips. Be careful when contouring the shape of your lips with lip liner to stay neatly tucked into the corners and only add extra volume in the center. Apply the lipstick to fill in and then blot kiss once with tissue. (Available at sephora.com)
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The beauty industry welcomes the warm weather with their spring offerings:

In addition to the suggestions above, MAKE UP FOR EVER presents their new Technicolor Palette for spring. The palette features eyeshadow in eight classic neutrals and statement colors along with two step-by-step tutorials. (Available at sephora.com)

MAC’s new Fashion Sets are four coordinated sets of Lipstick, Lip Gloss, Nail Lacquer and Eye Shadow. The bold brights come in Heroine, a powerful purple, Silly, a playful pink, Ablaze, red-hot scarlet, and Embrace Me, fuchsia. (Available at maccosmetics.com)

shu uemura celebrates spring with the blossom dream collection. The unmask palette, featuring five coordinating eye shadow shades, comes in pink, blue and green. rainbow feathers false eyelashes feature orange, pink and green colors accented by blash lash hair. gloss unlimited lip gloss features PK 10G, a cotton candy-inspired sparkling baby pink, AT 20G, dazzling gold, and CR 20S, light coral. (Available at shuuemura-usa.com)

Art of Nature is the Aveda Spring/Summer Makeup Collection. petal essence single eye color comes in soft shades such as lemongrass, a light iridescent green, bare bellis, a satiny baby pink, and lantana, a fresh coral. petal accents in hibiscus features bronze, highlighter and blush, featuring a soft coral, a bright coral and a nude highlighter. The nourish-mint sheer mineral lip color comes in sheer melochia bloom, a light baby coral, and the nourish-mint smoothing lip color in cana is a red-orange. Both lip colors feature the Aveda signature spearmint and vanilla flavor. (Available at aveda.com)

BECCA recently launched the Ultimate Matte Lip Colour, a color-intense, ultra-matte lipstick. Vitamin E and emollients leave a creamy long-wearing finish. The eight colors come in neutral shades like Claudine, a soft pink/beige, and Amelia, a poppy pink, to darker ones such as Adele, a deep raspberry, and Josephine, a dark crimson. As the warm weather puts a shine on oily skin, The Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is a great way to tackle it. It creates an invisible veil that minimizes pores and creates a matte finish for up to eight hours. (Available at beccacosmetics.com)

jane iredale gears up for spring with her newbies. PureGloss from jane iredale is a new lip gloss that’s glossy but not sticky, creamy but not too heavy. It’s available in eighteen shades ranging from darker shades such as Black Cherry and Raspberry, to super light shades such as Pink Candy and Bellini. Rose Dawn is a new Quad Bronzer shade. The cool pink/bronze shades can be used on cheeks, eyes and lips. (Available at janeiredale.com)

Merle Norman boasts Julianne Hough as a celebrity fan. Her favorites include Liquid Shimmer and Lip Polish – her shade of choice is Mademoiselle. The Soft Touch Eye Pencil in Navy is featured in the new Spring 2013 Color Collection. Navy is a great alternative to black: it’s not as harsh on fair skin and adds a pop of color. The creamy pencil features a rubber tip on the other end to smudge. (Availabe at merlenorman.com)

AERIN presents her glam spring offerings. The Spring Color Palette is an eyeshadow/blush combo housed in its own pretty zippered case. The collection features the neutral Garden in Bloom and the bolder Garden at Dusk. Multi Color For Lips and Cheeks is one-stop shopping in one compact and comes in Freesia, a pretty coral, and Sweet Pea, a soft pink. (Available at aerin.com)

Anastasia’s new Hypercolor Brow and Lash Tint provides vivid color for both lashes and brows. Each shade includes a bonus Mini Lash Genius Clear Waterproof Topcoat to set and waterproof. Intense shades include Ultra-Violet, Electric Blue and In The Pink. (Available at Anastasia.net)

As the season finale of The Walking Dead is now behind us, Demeter keeps the zombie apocalypse alive with their Zombie fragrance (for real!). Zombie for Him is a combination of moss, earth and dried leaves. Zombie for Her is similar lighter version with a feminine touch. (Available at demeterfragrance.com)

There are quite a few spring nail offerings at your fingertips:

Sally Beauty Finger Paints – Spring Collection has fun colors such as Hoppy Go Lucky, a deep teal, Are You Hoppy, a purple glitter, and Fishin’ For Fun, a pink glitter. (Available at sallybeauty.com)

LCN’s Blossom Sorbet Spring 2013 Collection features nail polish inspired by sugary confections. Lilac Blossom is a radiant lavender, Soft Daisy is a delicate yellow, I Love Mint is a blue-green and Vintage Rose is a rosy pink coral. (Available at lcnboutique.com)

COVERGIRL’s Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss has a wear-resistant glossy shine. The 3-in-1 formula combines a base coat, high-gloss color and chip-resistant topcoat. Choose from a huge selection of 45 colors. (Available at covergirl.com)

It’s Earth Day 2013! ORGO Beauty, the brainchild of aesthetician Rianna Loving, shares her skin care philosophy and views on her new ORGO 7 Serums, a new line committed to preserving Mother Earth.

ORGO Beauty is an eco-friendly and innovative brand based in Venice, CA. Rianna launched her Organic to Green line at Fred Segal in LA in 2009 and her signature white tea formulas were developed as an exclusive refillable amenity line for luxury hotels. She now introduces her ORGO 7 Serums, which is botanically-based, fragrance-free and packaged in recyclable glass bottles. It’s available at Beauty Cirque, which was developed by Rianna with other industry experts with the intention of providing a platform from which other innovators in the industry might flourish alongside like-minded product lines, reach a wider consumer audience and build their brands in the beauty arena.

I asked her about ORGO 7 Serums, a seven-day skincare regimen featuring one serum for every day of the week, focusing on the many different issues affecting the skin.

1. What made you come up with the idea for ORGO 7 Serums?

As a licensed aesthetician and beauty expert, I spend a lot of time observing skin and talking to others about skincare regimens. I found that most people are only addressing a specific skin issue when using a serum and that they usually own only one serum. Serums are fantastic because they contain the most concentrated amounts of active ingredients and are the most effective anti-aging products. Because serums are costly to make and purchase, there is usually only one serum offered or used in a skincare line. Most serums therefore only address a specific skin issue so you are sufficient in one area but deficient in another.

Many of us who care for our skin well are already aware that ingredients perform differently (think of how different each moisturizer can be) and our skin can have different needs daily; like being in the sun all day, traveling in an airplane, stressed and hormonal, too reactive to food. So just like you may have options for your other products like moisturizers, lip and eye products, we should also have options for our serums. I developed 7 Serums so that you get a balanced system of 7 serums to address all the issues of aging each day and even though we have designated each to a day, you are free to mix it up, too. There is nothing like it!

2. Why is “green” important to you and your customers?

My first brand was Organic to Green, an organic line packaged in donated reused glass bottles and launched at Fred Segal. I felt so strongly about creating a line where the contents of the product were not compromised by the packaging and the packaging was just as important as the ingredients. I could never understand these organic brands putting organic ingredients in packaging where they are defeating the whole purpose of being healthy and eco-friendly. I believe trying to be green is just being as conscious as you can to make those little changes which can help all of us in the bigger picture. I think as a brand creator, and for our customers, there are those of us who really feel a sense of responsibility to make a change.

3. Please give me more details about the donated reusable glass you use for your packaging and the importance of that for the environment.

When I came up with the idea of putting my organic formulas in a smarter packaging option, I knew my best option was glass. I learned that glass can safely be reused after proper sanitizing and sterilization, so reused glass would be the smartest option. I was certain I would find a source here somewhere in eco-friendly Los Angeles. I was shocked to learn there was no such place – or program for that matter. So I started a community reusing donation program in 2009 called ReUse Glass Bottles in Venice, CA, where restaurants, bars, boutique hotels and even neighbors would donate glass. The glass is available to anyone. If you want the team to remove labels, sanitize and sterilize for your use, then we request a donation and we give proceeds to the top environmental charities that we support. Nobody said being green was easy!

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Let’s delve into other nature-born products designed to protect us from the elements while preserving and respecting the very same.

Aveda will organize thousands of fundraisers worldwide throughout Earth Month to benefit more than 40 clean water organizations that work to preserve and protect clean water access in a variety of ways – from water resource protection education in Taiwan, to advocacy for the ecosystem health and scenic beauty of the Lake Tahoe Basin. They celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with a 24-hour global hair cutting marathon. The goal is to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title for raising the most money for charity through hair cuts in a 24-hour period. To help achieve it, guests will be asked to make a donation in return for the haircut. (All participating salons are listed at aveda.com/events.)

Kiehl’s honors Earth Day with the launch of the Limited Edition Ultra Facial Cream. The commemorative product will feature label art by celeb partners Zachary Quinto and Alanis Morissette. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the cream benefit Recycle Across America, a not-for-profit organization that stimulates the environmental economy. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Kiehl’s,” said Mitch Hedlund, Executive Director, Recycle Across America. “It’s wonderful to have the support of a like-minded company to raise awareness of the need for simplicity and efficiency in regards to recycling. Recycle Across America will be able to offer 65,000 standardized recycling labels to K-12 schools in the U.S. In studies where school districts began using consistent labels, recycling rates increased more than 47%. We thank Kiehl’s for their support and praise them for their continued efforts to make recycling more efficient in their stores throughout the United States.” (Available at Kiehl’s Since 1951, located at 112 Newbury Street in Boston or at kiehls.com.)

Juice Beauty practices Earth Day 24/7. Their products meet two rigorous standards: the USDA National Organic Program food standard and the California Organic Products Act. They buy locally, use only sustainably sourced and/or recycled paper and soy ink for all packaging, use solar power and conduct no animal testing. They’ve got an extensive collection of skin care, body care, hair care and makeup products. One of their newest launches is the Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream, which evens skin tone, moisturizes, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and has SPF 30. To celebrate Earth Month, they’re offering a promo code. Use ORGANIC20 at checkout to receive 20% off of your order through the end of April, 2013. (Available at juicebeauty.com.)

Marula – The Leakey Collection is an anti-aging facial oil with high levels of antioxidants and Omega 9 acid to help combat the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It provides hydration with a fast-absorbing, light, non-greasy texture. The company practices safe, sustainable and fair trade skincare. The oil, made from 99% pure Marula Oil, is created in partnership with rural families in East Africa who produce it using sustainable harvesting practices. This provides rural women with a sustainable source of income and a fair living wage without disrupting the culture or environment. Wild harvesting promotes conservation of trees and ensures that no natural habitat is altered. (Available at marula.com.)

The Urban Decay Good Karma Brushes are cruelty-free, vegan and eco-friendly makeup brushes. Each brush comes in a magnetic box made from recycled egg cartons, the synthetic brush hair is made from recycled PET bottles, and the gunmetal brush handles are recycled aluminum. There are twelve artist-quality brushes to choose from. (Available at urbandecay.com.)

Alba Botanica Even Advanced Sea Algae Enzyme Scrub exfoliates using sea enzymes that stimulate cell regeneration and prevent hyper-pigmentation. Free of Parabens, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Myreth Sulfate, all Alba Botanica products and ingredients are made without animal testing, which is exemplified through the Leaping Bunny certification on their packaging – an internally-recognized symbol for cruelty-free cosmetics, personal care and household products. (Available at albabotanica.com.)

Avalon Organics Lavender Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner is a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner set with a luxurious formula that is NSF certified with 70% organic ingredients. They include natural extracts including lavender essential oil, wheat protein, aloe, jojoba oil and other goodies. The packaging is made with 100% PCR (post-consumer resin) materials. (Available at avalonorganics.com.)

The National Honey Board lives the Earth Day philosophy year round. Honey attracts and retains moisture to help keep skin hydrated and glowing, and may keep away early signs of aging, like wrinkles, by maintaining proper moisture. As an anti-irritant, honey is a preferred ingredient for those with sensitive skin and acne, and can be used to help manage breakouts while keeping your skin moisturized. Manufacturers have used honey in everything from hand lotions and moisturizers to bar soaps and bubble baths. Look for honey in store-bought beauty products or simply add a squeeze of honey to your moisturizer, shampoo or soap at home. Check out some of the National Honey Board’s homemade skin care recipes on their site.

Last week we got the scoop on spring blonde trends. This week, Gregory Patterson of blow, the new york blow dry bar, gives his tips below on extending the life of your blowout.

To make your blowout last longer, follow these simple steps:

• First, secure your hair up at night with a large top knot up high on your head (for loose waves), or two individual top knot buns for a more wavy style. Secure with hair pins or bobby pins. Think more Minnie Mouse rather than Princess Leia buns.
• The following morning, your hair will be up and ready to place under a shower cap before your shower. Blowpro Perfect Shower Cap is great because it’s terry cloth-lined, super tight around the edges, oversized to fit any amount of hair, and it’s machine washable. The terry lining will absorb any steam that may enter, keeping your hair dry and frizz-free.
• Before removing your buns, blast them with your blow dryer at high heat on a low speed setting. Allow them to completely cool and remove the pins. Heating them up will allow the buns to serve as a hot roller, enhancing your wave. Spray a wave-enhancing spray like blowpro Beach Blow texturizing mist to enhance the wave and bring the life back to your blowout.

If you find your hair to be a little oily, apply dry shampoo just to the oily area, which will get you back to refreshed volume. I love blowpro Faux Dry dry shampoo. All products available at www.ulta.com.

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Check out some more of the current haircare goodies out there:

Organix is known for their affordable, cruelty-free and environmentally responsible products. The Moroccan Sea Salt Spray and Surf Paste features Moroccan argan oil and sea kelp for a tousled, unstructured look. The Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Collection combines ProVitamin B7 Biotin, collagen and wheat proteins for healthier looking hair. The Smooth Hydration Argan Oil & Shea Butter Collection is a hydrating line featuring shampoo, conditioner, oil, mask and even yogurt. (It smells good enough to eat!) (Available at Walmart.)

Ouidad has a few newbies for curly girls. The Curl Recovery Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil is for dry and damaged hair. The silk proteins and coconut oils clean gently and help with hydration. PlayCurl Volumizing Styling Spray helps boost volume in wavy and curly hair. The Whipped Curls Daily Conditioner & Styling Primer is a daily non-greasy conditioner that softens and keeps frizz and breakage at bay. The Curl Co-Wash is a cleanser with a concentrated blend of conditioners suitable for all hair types. (Available at Ouidad.com.)

L’Oréal Paris has been very busy in the haircare department. L’Oréal Paris Advanced Haircare is a clinically-tested system of shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments including Total Repair 5, Triple Resist, Smooth Intense, Color Vibrancy and Power Moisture. The Evercurl Sulfate-Free Curl Care System is a gentle, sulfate-free collection covering everything from loose waves to tight curls. EverStyle Texture Series is an evolution of the 2012 line, allowing users to achieve the undone-yet polished looks that are popular on the red carpet and on the street. (Available at drugstores.)

göt2b has a couple of new launches. The 2sexy voluptuous volume collection has the spray mousse for volume, shine, and hold. The spray gel is a lightweight blow-dry gel, and the hairspray is a weightless formula that delivers high-shine. (Available at ulta.com.)

Goody’s new products have both style and substance. The TangleFix has super-flexible bristles in three different lengths to tackle knots. DoubleWear 2in1 Ponytailers + Bracelets serve as both an accented hair elastic and double up as bracelets when hair is down. The Quickstyle Half-Round Styling Brush contains microfiber bristles to absorb water from the hair while blow drying. (Available at Target.)

Buns are among the season’s trends and they are very versatile! The new Hot Buns makes it easy for long-haired gals to create high, medium or low side buns, either small or large. It comes in both light and dark to match all hair types. (Available at buyhotbuns.com.)

Even though it doesn’t feel like spring is in the air, fashion and beauty carries on!  This and next week we will have a look at some spring hair tips.

Dana Ionato, a colorist at Sally Hershberger Downtown, specializes in blondes and provides some blonde trends and tips for spring.

1. Newest Spring Trend: Icy Blondes, Cool Blondes, with blue and purple undertones, staying away from gold.  This process is more high maintenance, so ask your colorist the best way to achieve the look.  The best way to get cool blonde is to double process your natural color, and follow up with a few highlights after to soften any warmth that may come with the first time going lighter.  After that, the maintenance should be simply a bleach on scalp on your re-growth, The first appointment could take up to 4 hours if done right. Then after the re-touch will only take half of the time. The problem is getting out warmth: there is no good way to speed this up, you must be patient.  Bring a good book or your ipad, maybe your tax receipts?  It’s a good time to delete old emails, or update your contacts list.

Beauty icons:  Alfred Hitchcock blondes such as Kim Novak in Vertigo.  In the realm of icy blondes, Kim Novak is positively glacial.  Also seen on Sienna Miller, January Jones, and Debra-Lee Jackman.  Kate Bosworth is a cool blonde, her ultra-light blonde hue is beachy to the extreme.

2. Hair Products:  We’ll to go along with shine and nourishment.  Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Super Keratin Spray.  I spray this on dry and wet hair. It’s a detangler and a shine giving agent without weighing down your hair. Amazing for your Turks and Caicos getaway. Also a great transition to summer. I love this product.  Major shine!

Sally Hershberger Hyper Hydration Super Argan Serum penetrates hair for instant hydration and frizz control without weight or residue!  Key benefits: a smoothing serum complex of active argan oil infused with Superfruit Indian Gooseberry revitalizes and brightens dry, distressed hair. Natural sunscreen locks out humidity and the damaging effects of heat and UV. The result is vibrant, supremely smooth, frizz-free style.

Directions for the Hyper Hydration Super Argan Serum (You can use it as an oil treatment, to smooth a blow dry or define your style.):

Pump into palm. Use sparingly, a little goes a long way.

* Oil Treatment: Apply to damp hair to soften, revitalize, and rejuvenate.

* Smooth Blow Dry: Apply to damp hair for supreme smoothing and frizz control.

* Define Style: Apply to dry hair to smooth frizz and define style.

I love this product. It has a natural sunscreen, that will help keep your hair color fresh, sunscreen for the hair, and then will bake in to your locks as the temperature goes up.

Also Clairol Shimmer Lites Shampoo. This product is a no BS, no fragrance shampoo you will like. Its purple which neutralizes warm tones, to keep brunettes from having oranges hair, blondes stay cool, and it won’t stain your hands.

3. Trick for unruly hair: stay within two shades of your natural. The farther you go away form natural, when your hair is super frizzy, the light will reflect off the lighter pieces which in turn actually make your hair look super dry. Get a keratin treatment, I promise the pollutants you get from alcohol alone or more harmful than any chemical in one keratin treatment. It will save your life. Cuts blow dry time in half, never gets frizzy, I live by them.

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Here are some newer and current faves of mine in hair products.

Aveda’s new Invati^™ is an innovative system created to provide a solution for thinning hair and hair loss due to breakage. The line features 97% naturally-derived products. It includes the Exfoliating Shampoo, a gentle shampoo that cleanses, exfoliates and renews the scalp with wintergreen-derived salicylic acid. The Thickening Conditioner strengthens with arginine, an amino acid derived from sugar beets and soy protein, and organic kukui nut oil to add natural shine. The Scalp Revitalizer utilizes turmeric and ginseng to help energize and rehabilitate the scalp around the follicles when massaged in. (Available at aveda.com.)

Head & Shoulders’ new damage rescue collection works to relieve dry scalp and dandruff. It’s formulated with a blend of rich conditioners to help restore and maintain a healthy moisture barrier and improve hair and scalp health. (Available at drugstores.)

LUSH has an excellent line of hair products. One of their new ones is Blousey Shampoo. It’s a gentle, non-stripping shampoo for damaged, over-processed, colored, bleached and fragile hair. Another newbie, Happy Happy Joy Joy, is a new vegan conditioner also great for over-processed hair. It’s moisturizing yet light with the scent of rosewood and grapefruit oils. The Roots Hair Treatment is targeted for fine, thin hair. Peppermint and spearmint revitalize the scalp and extra virgin olive oil and honey soften and condition hair without weighing it down. As always, they’re anti-animal testing and cruelty free! (Available at lushusa.com.)

The new Colorsmash Hair Shadow is a temporary hair color in an easy-to-apply powder form. Just rub the color onto hair and seal with spray. Washes right out! Comes in colors such as Party Pink, Tango Mango and So Jaded. (Available at sephora.com.)

Monoi Oil, new from Carol’s Daughter, is a lightweight serum that counteracts and prevents damage caused by chemical straightening, color-treating, heat-styling and sun exposure. Tiare Gardenia Flower and Coprah Coconut Oil help restore softness and reduce frizz. It’s free of silicones, alcohol and mineral oil. (Available at sephora.com.)

The editors of Good Housekeeping contributed to the new book 7 Years Younger, which covers topics from diet and nutrition to fitness for body and mind, to hair and makeup. The team includes Health, Beauty & Environmental Sciences Director Birnur K. Aral, Ph. D., Nutrition Director Samantha B. Cassetty, M.S., R.D., Executive Editor Jennifer Cook, Food Director Susan Westmoreland, and Nina Judar, Beauty Director. Nina contributes some tips from the book below.

Age-Appropriate Makeup

Freshening Foundation: The right base sets the stage for the rest of your makeup palette. The overall effect you want is dewy, to help compensate for drier-looking or rough-textured skin. Look for the ingredients glycerin or hyaluronic acid. Also, check out “light reflecting” foundations, which deflect light from lines and crinkles, visually filling them in and making them look softer. Other words to keep an eye out for that mean the same thing are “luminous,” “radiance” and “light-diffusing.”

Eye-enhancing Products: Perhaps more than any other feature, your eyes draw others in. And eyes are not just a window to your soul (as the saying goes); they can reveal your age, your health and how well you care for yourself, too. A sign of age shows up here first.

• Lid primer: A neutral shade of eye primer smoothes the surface of your lids so shadow adheres better and longer.
• Liner: Whether you prefer pencil or cake formula, the result is the same: an even, light outline opens and enhances the shape of your eyes. If your go-to liner is black, consider trying brown, which is softer and less harsh.

Full, Attractive Lips:As with most of your features, lips evolve with age. Their color may lighten or become more irregular, and their overall volume may dip.

• Lip Liner: Using a clear or nude liner that’s the same shade as your lips, carefully apply the liner around the perimeter of your lips to define your mouth.
• Lip Brush: This tool gives you optimal precision as well as control over how much color you lay down near the lip border.

Lengthening Mascara: Choose a formula that’s also water resistant to keep mascara from smudging and flaking.

• Lash Curler: Lash curlers can take eyelashes from droopy to drop dead gorgeous. Eyes look more youthful and awake when lashes are curled because it reveals more of the whites and frames your eyes. Gently clamp down lashes and hold for a slow 15-second count.

Eyebrows

• The Right Brow Tools: Brows not only frame your eyes, but are the backbone of your face.
• Brow tweezers: To maintain shape, use tweezers rather than an at-home waxing kit. They’ll give you more precise control over the process.
• Brow pencil: Use it to fill in where nature has left gaps or where brows are sparse.

Skincare

• Exfoliation: A clean sweep for skin helps you face the day looking younger and dewier. During sleep, the rate of skin turnover slows, allowing old, dead cells to build up on the surface, leaving skin feeling rough and dry. Exfoliating not only removes dead cells, it encourages skin to increase production of new, healthy cells.
• Moisturizer: Smoothing on a moisturizer after cleansing makes skin look and feel good. These products are formulated to attract water and to keep it in the top layer of your skin, creating a dewier look. For day use, choose a moisturizer that has anti-aging ingredients and that also has sunscreen, preferably SPF 30. At night, choose a moisturizing anti- aging night cream either with retinol or with collagen building peptides.
• Smoothing Lines and Wrinkles: Every time you smile, frown or squint, the skin around your eyes crinkles up. Eventually, as the collagen levels diminish, your skin literally stays scrunched and deeper creases take the place of fine lines. You may want to talk to your doctor about a prescription retinoid or try an eye cream with retinol. If you find retinol too harsh on your eye-area skin, you might want to swap those vitamin A-derived products for peptides, which also stimulate collagen growth.

Here are some new anti-aging skincare products:

European favorite PRIMAVERA made its way to the U.S. recently. The 25-year-old German brand, born in the Alpine foothills of southern Germany, uses pure plant oils in its natural skincare and aromatherapy line. The company’s holistic approach extends to social and environmental responsibility with fair-trade partnerships with eighteen growers around the world who provide 125 ingredients farmed from their natural habitats. Their Revitalizing Rose Pomegranate face care products are designed for maturing skin. They feature Organic Rose Essential Oil, which helps promote cell renewal, and Organic Pomegranate Seed Oil, which contains antioxidants to help fight free-radical damage. The extensive line features the moisturizing Cream Cleanser, Intensive Repair Eye Cream, Intensive Seed Oil Capsules, Antioxidant Mask and Intensive Firming Cream. (Available at primaveralife.com.)

Neydharting Moor Skin & Body Care, from the Neydharting Healing Clinic in Austria, utilizes the benefits of Neydharting Moor’s Peat & Peat Water, which contains naturally-sourced botanicals, herbs and nutrients. Their Advanced Skincare line features the Ageless Eye Cream, a delicate eye cream infused with age-defying antioxidants. The Intense Regenerating Serum is a cream-gel that helps reduce puffiness and irritation. The newest addition to their product family is the Regenerating Night Cream – Face and Neck. It’s a rich, ultra-hydrating night cream with their signature Neydharting Peat and Peat Water, bioactive Super-27 anti-aging complex, Sweet Almond Oil and Allantoin to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and help restore lost elasticity. (Available at MoorSkincare.com.)

The new Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate is powered by 20 pure plant extracts and potent high-tech molecules. The dual chamber system combines two age-defying formulas to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, minimize pores and make skin look firmer. (Available at Sephora.com.)

The new Revitalift Miracle Blur Instant Skin Smoother Finishing Cream from L’Oreal Paris is a finishing cream that utilizes the new Opti-Blur Technology to diffuse light to erase the look of fine lines, wrinkles and pores for a smoother looking complexion in thirty seconds. Silica helps absorb oil and the SPF 30 protects skin from UVA/UVB rays. (Available at drugstores.)

Elizabeth Arden presents their new PREVAGE Anti-Aging+ Intensive Repair Daily Serum. It blends Idebenone, an anti-oxidant, with their exclusive new ingredient Arazine, which helps shield the skin from environmental effects and helps support the skin’s natural repair process. (Available at www. elizabetharden.com.)

Make Up For Ever’s new Pro Finish is a unique multi-use compact foundation with an innovative formulation that can be applied wet for a sheer, satin finish or dry for a full, matte finish. The breakthrough formula boasts a Vegetal Lecithin coating that wraps around each pigment to transform the product’s texture so it stays on the skin better, longer and more effectively. It’s mineral oil-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free, with less talc than traditional formulations, eliminating the chalky, cakey effect that gives the impression of aging skin. (Available at Sephora.com.)

Calgon’s new Ageless Bath Collection has Vita Pearl Complex of Collagen, Vitamin E and Pearl Powder in their Ageless Bath Body Scrub and Soak, Ageless Bath Pearls and Ageless Milk Bath with Serum Beads. (Available at takemeaway.com.)

The LiftActiv Serum 10 from Vichy was the 2012 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner for Big Breakthrough. The anti-aging treatment is formulated with Rhamnose, a naturally-derived plant sugar, clinically proven to improve skin rejuvenation. The hydrating, lightweight serum has proven efficacy on the appearance of wrinkles, pores and sagging. (Available at vichyusa.com.)

The new Ecos Daily HydraPrimer SPF 30 keeps in skin’s natural moisture with Soy and Sodium Hyaluronate and helps the signs of aging with apple stem cell technology to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Its light tint makes it perfect to use alone or under foundation. (Available at Target.)

It’s 60 degrees… it’s 6 degrees. Your skin can’t be happy. Here are some tips to help you and your epidermis adapt to that finicky gal Mother Nature.

L.A.-based aesthetician Stephanie Enriquez has some suggestions for taking care of skin in our ever-changing winter 2013 climate:

• Long, hot showers may feel great, but they actually pull out the moisture found in skin’s lipid bilayer – leaving skin drier and in need of more moisture than ever. I suggest waiting to jump into the shower until it’s warm so you aren’t tempted to overheat the water. Then, rather than using a moisturizing shower gel, hydrate skin post-shower with a body oil like c. Booth Original Bath & Body Oil that sinks deep into pores and continues hydrating throughout the day.
• What skin loves in the summer may be too harsh for chilly winter days. Masks with oil-absorbing clays may not be necessary for your entire face. Instead, concentrate on applying to the t-zone and then use a hydrating mask for the rest of your face. (She loves Feeling Beautiful Goji Berry Facial Hydration Mask for hydration and Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask for the t-zone because it contains hydrating ingredients including avocado and oatmeal.)
• Frequent hand washing to keep colds at bay is a must, but it leaves hands dry, cracked and sensitive. Help skin recover overnight by applying hand cream followed by gloves. Wake up to softer hands and smooth cuticles.
• Don’t forget your feet! Apply BareFoot Foot Balm on your feet and immediately follow with socks for extra hydration during the winter when feet tend to crack and callus from cold weather and winter boots.

Here are some new suggestions and old favorites for battling winter skin:

Cu3 Intensive Lip Repair from NEOVA is designed to restore moisture loss from wind, extreme temperatures, and dehydration from low humidity. (Available at neova.com.)

Lush offer their unique winter skin solutions. Rub Rub Rub is their mimosa blossom-scented shower wash. The sea salt exfoliates to revive rough skin. Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner is a rose jam-scented body conditioner that nourishes with cypress oil, capuacu butter and vitamin. Their Vanishing Cream is for oily skin. It features witch hazel and lavender to combat oil and grape seed oil to lightly soften. For the tub, the Geo Phyzz has Hawaiian sea salt and mineral-rich volcanic clay to soothe muscles. All of their products are 100% vegetarian and cruelty-free! (Available at lushusa.com.)

The new AVEENO Skin Relief Healing Ointment targets extremely dry, chafed or cracked areas that require ointment for extra protection. The heavy-duty formula is good for both skin and lips. AVEENO Skin Relief 24hr Moisturizing Lotion is lightweight, fast-absorbing and gentle. And the AVEENO Skin Relief Body Wash is a creamy body wash containing oatmeal and rich emollients to lock in moisture. (Available at drugstores.)

NEOSPORIN has a new skincare line, ECZEMA ESSENTIALS, for those suffering from eczema and severe dry skin. The Daily Body Wash is formulated with a humectant, emollient and botanical blend. The Daily Moisturizing Cream attacks dryness, irritation and itch. The Anti-Itch Cream is a 1% Hydrocortisone cream to relieve itch due to eczema flare-ups. All have received the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association. NEOSPORIN also has two lip products from the LIP HEALTH line: Daily Hydration Therapy locks in moisture and features SPF 20, and Overnight Renewal Therapy penetrates deep within the skin’s surface overnight. (Available at drugstores.)

Morrocanoil, well known for their hair care products, have branched out into skincare. The Body Buff exfoliates with natural orange peel exfoliator and moisturizes with grape seed, almond oil and Vitamin E. The Cleansing Bar is a mild cleanser with argan oil and shea butter. The rich formula of the Body Souffle drenches skin with moisture. The Intense Hydrating Treatment melts from a gel to an oil with a honey-lavender scent, and the Hand Cream has cocoa, shea and avocado butter to repair dry hands and soften cuticles. (Available at moroccanoil.com.)

Elizabeth Arden expands the classic Eight Hour collection with two new lip treatments: Eight Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm and Eight Hour Cream Nourishing Lip Balm Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 20. The Intensive Lip Repair Balm has a subtle sheen and delivers long-lasting moisture with shea butter, Vitamin E and honey extract. The Nourishing Lip Balm is a gloss enriched with palm tree butter, lanolin, eight vitamins and minerals and tops it off with SPF 20. (Available at department stores.)

The eos 24-Hour Moisturizing Shave Cream is a paraben-free, non-foaming shave cream that can be used wet or dry. It softens with vitamins E and C. (Available at drugstore.com.)

Kate Somerville RetAsphere Hydrating 2-in-1 Retinol Treatment is a nighttime cream designed to gently help replenish the skin with pure retinol and sustained hydration, helping to improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, elasticity and firmness. (Available at qvc.com.)

Pacifica’s new skincare line includes the Sea Foam Complete Face Wash. The sulfate-free foaming cleanser includes coconut water, papaya extract and sea algae extract. The Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream is a weightless bare skin tint that can be built up for more coverage. The formula includes anti-aging botanical ingredients. Pacifica manufactures in the USA, supports the local economy and reduces its impact on the environment by using local suppliers, recycling, and using100% recyclable boxes. (Available at pacificaperfume.com.)

Juice Beauty introduces their new Stem Cellular Repair CC Cream. The multitasker is rich in antioxidants, moisturizes, improves elasticity and protects with a chemical-free SPF 30. As with all their products, it’s certified organic! (Available at juicebeauty.com.)

Boots’ new selection of facial wipes refresh and cleanse skin gently. The Boots Botanics Quick Fix Cleansing Wipes features mallow extract for sensitive skin, the Boots Expert Sensitive Cleansing & Toning Wipes are hypoallergenic and fragrance free, and the Boots No7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes remove waterproof eye make-up. (Available at shopbootsusa.com.)

Cracked and dry heels? Tweezerman to the rescue! Their new Mix ‘N Match Runway Prints SoleMates feature a stainless steel Micro-File to remove dead skin and reduce calluses. The Finishing File buffs skin to soften and smooth. (Available at sephora.com.)

Sunscreen is important year-round. The new L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power SPF 30 Day Lotion is a lightweight lotion that offers UV protection, enhances collagen production, and repairs fine lines and wrinkles. (Available at drugstores.)

The philosophy miracle worker concentrate and moisturizer duo helps to reduce the appearance of aging, including fine lines, deep wrinkles, loss of elasticity and firmness, discoloration and dehydration. The luxurious formulas help to replenish skin’s natural moisture barrier, while the lightweight texture leaves skin feeling smooth. (Available at qvc.com.)

Lafe’s Lip Balm Tin is 100% natural. It’s made with sunflower oil, beeswax, castor oil and shea butter. It’s available in unscented, Wintermint and Tangerine Lemon. (Available at Lafes.com)

St. Ives introduces their new Revitalizing Pear & Soy Body Wash. The rich body wash is paraben-free and includes protein-rich soy and pear extract. The fresh pear scent includes additional notes: rose, sandalwood, musk and citrus. (Available at drugstores.)

Red Carpet Manicure’s Revitalize Nourishing Cuticle Oil brushes on almond oil, vitamin E and aloe to rehydrate nails and cuticles. (Available at ulta.com.)

Vaseline Intensive Rescue has been reformulated to include Stratys-3, a multi-layer moisturizing complex that hydrates skin deeply. The Repairing Moisture Lotion is fragrance free and softens dry to very dry skin. The Soothing Moisture Lotion targets itchy skin. The Healing Hand Cream accelerates the healing of dry, rough hands. (Available at drugstores.)

And for the guys, TURO SKIN Starter Kit has three essentials: Multi-Active Shave, which has anti-inflammatory agents, Daily Moisturizing Lotion + Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15, a lightweight moisturizer which provides UV protection, and the 3-in-1 Shower Cleanser that can be used on hair, face and body. Their Protective Lip Balm SPF 15 battles the elements with shea butter, sunflower oil, sweet almond oil and menthol. The balm provides long-lasting hydration with an invisible matte finish. (Available at turoskin.com.)

Kerry Herta, Makeup Artist and Educator and Founder, Colour Box Makeup Studios, is a celebrity makeup artist and Emmy nominee. Kerry gives us the latest lip trends, her faves and application instructions below!

Lip Looks

The latest “lip look” is to see color. What you will begin seeing more and more are dramatic reds and peachy corals. Ruby red lips, while definitely dramatic, are a very classic look. However, for most women, the search for the perfect red can be endless. The good news is that no matter what time of year, a soft glossy lip is always in.

One of my favorite color combos for a red lip is MAC’s Cherry Red Pencil and their Russian Red Lipstick. Another equally beautiful option is Stila’s Number 5 Pencil and Julie Hewett’s Rouge Noir Lipstick.

While red lips can be beautiful, they’re often hard to maintain. As a film and TV makeup artist, I can say that the looks you see on screen don’t always translate to the real world. Most of us don’t have a makeup artist available to touch up our lips every time we eat, drink or kiss. Women tend to steer away from looks that require too many touch-ups or shy away from red in general due to the endless hunt for the perfect shade.

There are an overwhelming number of color choices out there. I always tell my students and celebrity clients that color trends change from season to season, but lip color is more personal and many women shy away from some looks due to wearability issues.

Application Tricks

There are a few ways to help ensure your lip color will last. Always include your lips in your skin care regimen. Your lip color will last longer if you exfoliate at least once a week. Removing rough, dry skin from the lips, especially in the winter, will give you improved wearability and a smoother application. I prefer Sara Happ lip scrubs, which are gentle, sugar-based scrubs that come in many flavors – my favorite is Vanilla Bean. It’s best to follow up with a moisturizer. I am a big fan of two-in-one products. Jouer’s Essential Lip Enhancer is a conditioning treatment that also increases fullness. Since it has a hint of color, it can double as a gloss.

Another trick to keeping your lipstick on longer is to use a lip pencil. Lip pencils are great for defining the shape of the lip, but are also great for added staying power. Since lip pencils have more pigment than lipsticks, apply the pencil all over the entire lip not just the outline. When your lipstick rubs off, you still have color on the lip. Layering products is a great way to boost color longevity.

When wearing red, it is necessary to take precautions so the color will not bleed or fade. When applying pencil, it is best to start at the outer corners and work your way in. You will get a smoother application and it will be easier to match each side.

If you love wearing reds or bold lip color, but shy away because there is too much maintenance, try using a lip primer first. It is the same concept as applying a primer to the face. It helps smooth everything out and provides a base for color to adhere to. My absolute go-to product for optimum wearability is FACE Stockholm’s Lip Fix. It is a non-drying lip base that helps prevent feathering and fading. I start by applying a thin layer of Lip Fix all over the whole lip. Trust me when I say a little goes a long way! Then I smudge a bit out to the lip line and sometimes go slightly over it. It’s like creating a border that your lip color cannot cross. I then follow with my lip pencil, then lipstick and/or gloss.

Never apply gloss to the whole lip. By concentrating the gloss in the center of the lip, you help prevent bleeding and smudging. If you like a neutral lip with a little shine, try using a light-colored pencil all over the lip and then applying the gloss in the center. As I mentioned, Jouer’s Lip Enhancer also has a hint of color to it.

I tend to like the look of lip stains, but don’t like the matte appearance. I am a big fan of two in one products and Josie Maran’s Magic Marker Lip & Cheek stain is great! If you want to add shine, try Josie’s Argan High Gloss Lip Quencher.

Not only do I love dual purpose products, I am a huge fan of products that emphasize skincare. Koh Gen Do Cosmetics has a beautiful line of velvety lipsticks that are enriched with Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Jojoba oil. Not only are they long-wearing and moisturizing, they are fragrance and paraben-free.

Since not everyone has a makeup artist to fly in for a touch-up after every sip of coffee, it is crucial to exfoliate first and to apply a lip base.

Ideally, your lip pencil is the same color as your lipstick or gloss choice. The idea of the pencil is to define the lip and enhance staying power, not to actually be seen. This is especially important when you want to achieve a more natural look.

******

Try Kerry’s tips with some new brands, colors, and treatments:

The tarte Moisturizing Creamy Lipstick Trio are creamy, semi-gloss lipsticks in three universally flattering shades (nude, rose and pink). The pop-up mirror is great for touch-ups on the go. The blend of plant-based waxes and oils give a light mint scent and soft finish. (Available at qvc.com.)

Prep lips with the Mint Julips lip scrub. The Lush Mint Julips lip scrub helps relieve dry, cracked lips. Reminiscent of the well-known cocktail, the mint-chocolate polish is packed with fresh peppermint and sweet castor sugar. It’s vegan, and, as with all of their products, cruelty free! (Available at lushusa.com.)

Too Faced presents their new La Crème collection. The rich, creamy formula is packed with white lotus flower and power peptides. The twenty shades are grouped into four color ranges: nudes, spices, pinks and reds. (Available at sephora.com.)

The Secret Agent Foreign-Intelligence-Flirt features a universally flattering shade. It packs a strong punch by hydrating with Sacha Inchi oil, peppermint oil and aloe vera. (Available at ronrobinson.com.)

Shiseido’s new shades include Perfect Rouge in Secret, a subtle peach, and Bedtime, a warm rose. Shimmering Rouge in Temptress is a reddish brown with a hint of copper, and Perfect Rouge Tender Sheer in Foxy is a deep, reddish brown. For more daring colors, try favorites such as Lacquer Rouge in Drama, a deep, full-blooded red or Shimmering Rouge in Sizzle, a vibrant coral. (Available at sephora.com.)

COVERGIRL’s new lipperfection jumbo gloss balm is a chunky pencil that gives soft shine with a touch of sheer color. (Available at drugstores.)

NYX Cosmetics was named after the ancient Greek goddess who ruled the night. The Xtreme Lip Cream falls between lipstick and lip gloss. Shades run from neutrals like Buttery Nude and Natural to brights like Absolute Red and Bon Fire. (Available at nyxcosmetics.com.)

bliss introduces a new beauty regimen for your lips. The bliss fabulips treatment kit cleans, exfoliates, plumps and softens — a facial for your lips! (Available at sephora.com.)

The new lipstick line from Mary Kay is the Mary Kay True Dimensions Lipstick. The formula merges stay-true color with moisturizing skin benefits and age-defying ingredients such as portulaca pilosa plant extract, sunflower seed oil, jojoba and mango butter. The ten shades come in a sleek tube with a push-button design. (Available at marykay.com.)

FLOWER is the brand new line from Drew Barrymore. The Lip Service Lip Butter is a non-tacky formula with a buttery-soft texture and a glossy finish. It’s available in flowery shades such as Tempting Tulip, Haute Honeysuckle and Sheer Snapdragon. The Kiss Stick Velvet Lip Color has a velvety matte formula with smooth, intense color. It comes in shades such as Petal Kiss, Tender Tuberose and Chocolate Lily. (Available at Walmart.)

June Jacobs Lip Kit has three steps to revitalize lips. The kit includes an emollient lip exfoliation with sugar granules to sweep away dead skin cells, luxurious Lip Masque to nourish lips, and finishes up with the Lip Renewal, infused with shea butter, mango and aloe to provide relief to dehydrated and chapped lips. (Available at junejacobs.com.)

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar combines the longevity of a lipstick with the ease of application of a gloss. It goes on slick and dries to a satin finish. The formula that contains hemp oil, peppermint oil and vitamin E is 100% vegan and cruelty-free! (Available at occmakeup.com.)

Inglot has many lip options, the newest being their Pacific Blue Collection of Lipstick featuring six sea-worthy shades of blue. If more traditional shades are your thing, check out: LIP DUO Lip Gloss, which comes with two complementary colors in a funky cube-shaped case. Inglot Lipstick comes in tons of shades in matte, cream, pearl and gel formulas. The AMC Lip Paint smooths and moisturizes, the Sleeks PLATINUM Lip Paint has a metallic tint and the Sleeks CREAM Lip Paint has a non-sticky luster effect.
(Available at inglotusa.com.)

The new SMASHBOX MegaTint Long Wear Lip Color is a long-wearing lip tint. Its buildable formula is good for sheer color or a bolder impact. Available in six shades from Nude, a neutral pink, to Cerise, a cherry red. (Available at sephora.com.)

Jessica Biel is a fan of the G.M. Collin Lip Plumping Complex. Use it alone or under your favorite shade of lipstick for plumping lips with a healthy-looking, shiny finish. It comes in Rose or Clear. (Available at amazon.com.)

Pacifica’s Color Quench Lip Tint delivers sheer color and hydration from coconut and avocado oils. They boast a 100% vegan formula and a 100% recyclable tube! Tints include Sugared Fig, Coconut Nectar, Blood Orange and Guava Berry. (Available at pacificaperfume.com.)

AERIN Lip Gloss looks forward to early spring with three sheer shades: Poppy, a sweet pink, Cassis, a bright berry, and Pink Rose, a subtle peach/pink. (Available at esteelauder.com.)

L’Oreal’s new The Colour Caresse Shine Stain by Colour Riche is a lightweight lip stain with a high-shine finish. The rich pigment can be applied sheer or layered for fuller coverage. (Available at drugstores.)

Three Custom Color Specialists introduce their new Turkish Delight Pomegranate Lip Sheer. The crimson-pink shade is created in their award-winning lipstick formula with a lasting stain. (Available at threecustom.com.)

The new eos Smooth Sphere Organic Lip Balm Duo is 100% natural and certified organic. The mini-box features the best-selling Strawberry Sorbet and Passion Fruit Smooth Spheres. (Available at drugstore.com.)

Whether your date night means steak frites with that nice graphic designer you met at Whole Foods or after work mojitos and JP Licks with your girlfriends, these scents, shades and tools will have cupid working overtime on your behalf.

Ralph Lauren and Macy’s team up for Valentine’s Day. Ralph Lauren’s Romance fragrance combines velvety woods, extravagant florals and seductive musk. This Valentine’s Day, each purchase of Ralph Lauren Romance Eau de Parfum will be accompanied by either a box of Dylan’s Candy Belgian chocolates (as of now) or a dozen pink roses (starting February 11th and dependent on Macy’s location). (Available at select Macy’s locations nationwide.)

Glam it up for Valentine’s Day (or anytime!) with SHE by SO.CAP.USA hair extensions. Check out straight-up hair extensions, ponytails or bangs à la Taylor Swift. (Available at socapusa.com.)

Gianna Rose Atelier Heart Soaps are wrapped in linen paper and topped off with a ribbon bow. Under the beautiful wrapping is an artistically sculpted, triple-milled and magnificently fragranced soap. (Available at caswellmassey.com.)

The All You Need is Love Pressed Powder Blush is brand new from Stila. It features four shades with an embossed “love” design in shimmery gold overspray. (Available at stilacosmetics.com.)

Philosophy’s X’s And O’s Valentine’s Gift Set includes Vanilla Cream Topping Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath, Vanilla Cream Topping Body Lotion and Cherry On Top High-Gloss High-Flavor Lip Shine. (Available at ulta.com.)

The Tweezerman Hot Pink Mini Brow Rescue Kit is a four-piece set of Tweezerman’s top brow-care essentials. The travel-friendly set includes the Mini Slant Tweezer, Browmousse gel which helps hold brows in place, the Mini Eyehance Highlighter Pencil that highlights the area under the brow and the Mini Brow Shaping Brush that shapes brows. (Available at sephora.com.)

Physician’s Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powder is a pretty compact embossed with hearts to give cheeks a healthy pop of color. (Available at ulta.com.)

AVEENO’s Positively Nourishing Energizing Body Lotion is formulated with natural grapefruit and pomegranate for a fresh scent and smooth skin. (Available at drugstore.com.)

The best-selling and award-winning shu uemura eyelash curler has earned its accolades. The beloved eyelash curler is a favorite for make-up artists and celebrities. It’s also available in 24K gold! (Available at shuuemura-usa.com.)

The Repêchage Sea Spa Bubble Bath features a unique blend of EcoCert Seaweeds along with seven essential oils of Orange Peel, Grapefruit, Lemon, Sage, Lime and Clove to help detoxify, ease tension, relax muscles and melt away stress. Repêchage Sea Spa Massage, Bath & Body Oil includes a rich soybean based blend of herbal and citrus extracts, along with Carrot Oil, a source of beta carotene, and pure essential oils. It doubles up as a bath and after bath oil as well as massage oil. (Available at repechage.com.)

Merle Norman’s new Lip Tints for Valentine’s Day gift set includes two shades: Cutie Pie, a fresh pink, and Sweetie Pie, a deep berry. The tints, which provide hydration and a touch of color, are packaged in easy-to-use jars with mirrored flip top caps. (Available at merlenorman.com.)