I Try Hundreds of Beauty Products Every Year — These Are the 8 Best I've Found In the Last 12 Months

I have what may be considered a sliiiight problem when it comes to beauty products. Namely, that I like to try new ones. A lot. I mean, A LOT. As a beauty writer, I try hundreds of beauty products every year — and, yes, I'm being serious. My neighbors kind of can't believe the amount of packages showing up at my door every day. (This isn't a #humblebrag, I swear.) And while many of those products are good, only a few are truly GREAT. We're talking epic, can't live without them, don't know how my beauty routine survived before them kind of products. Not all of the ones in this list are new, but they are new to me. Keep reading for the 8 best beauty products I've tried in the past 12 months.

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My Top 6 Summer Beauty Must Haves

I don't know about you, but sticky summer temperatures make me reach for a whole different set of beauty products. And, if I'm really being honest here? They make me reach for a whole lot LESS. There's nothing I hate more than hair on my neck and makeup on my face when it's over 80 degrees. (That pic above? It's me in all my summer glory, during my recent vacation to Martha's Vineyard.) These XXX products are the ones that are getting me through this summer in style.

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#ManiMonday: Sephora Formula X Free Fall from the Celestials Collection

I don't know about you, but when I come across a nail polish like none I've seen before, I get pretty darn excited. That's how I feel about Sephora Formula X Free Fall.

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Fade to Cool: Sephora Ombre Seamless Hair Ties

I've had long hair for quite some time now ... but, for some reason, I still don't ever FEEL like I've got it. I'm stuck in the mindset of having a bob! But one of my favorite things now is to make sure I have tons of ponytail holders at the ready, usually in lots of different colors. And if they don't snag my strands or leave weird ridges? Even better. Enter Sephora Ombre Seamless Hair Ties.

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Get On Base: Formula X For Sephora Base Coat

It takes quite a lot to drag me away from my nails' best friend, CND Stickey. I've been attached to this base coat for so long that it feels like I'm cheating to try a different one. But try a different one I did ... and I fell in love instantly. Enter Formula X For Sephora Base Coat.

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The Top 4 Best Hand Soaps

I'll come right out and say it ... I'm obsessed with hand soaps. Luxury or drugstore, sweet or sultry, I just can't get enough. Don't believe me? My last apartment only had two sinks and way more than two different body washes crowded around them. Below, my four absolute favorites.

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The Best Makeup Removers For That Stubborn Halloween Makeup!

So you've got your Halloween costume all ready to go and you're super excited. But there's one thing giving you a moment of pause -- the amount of makeup you'll need to remove at the end of the night. Well, never fear, because this roundup of makeup removers (like the Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloths, above) is sure to get rid of even the most stubborn Halloween makeup! Here are my favorites.

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Nail Polish Swatches: Sephora Nail Wand in Silver

Today I have swatches of the Sephora Nail Wand in Silver for you. I'd been curious about this for awhile, so imagine my surprise and delight when it showed up on my desk last week! Keep reading for more swatches and my impressions of all four colors.

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Nails With Daniella: Sophisticated Superhero Manicure

My friend Daniella C. is a seriously talented nail artist (check out the Disney Princess manicure she did for me before my trip to Disney World), and we'll be collaborating once a month to bring you some fun, intricate, interesting nail designs. This time, it's this amazing manicure that we're calling Sophisticated Superhero.

For awhile now, Daniella and I have tossed around the idea of glitter ombre nails. Daniella is a master at this technique -- I've coveted her designs for over a year -- and I was thrilled when we chose this as the basis for this month's look. While we originally thought we would use a darker color as the base (like Daniella's in the picture of both of our manicures, above), a trial run with five different colors made us decide on a nude base instead!

Here are the colors Daniella used to create the design:


Deborah Lippmann Fashion (nail base color)
Chanel Graphite (ombre base color, and one of our favorites)
Sephora by OPI Only Gold For Me Top Coat (the bold glitter flecks)
Sephora Nail Glitter in Silver (for glitter definition)
Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Clear (to make the glitter stick to the nail)

We started with two coats of Deborah Lippmann Fashion. Fashion is my all-time favorite nude -- it somehow blends into the skin and stands out at the same time. It's the perfect base for this manicure because it adds just the right amount of definition and really makes the glitter designs noticeable.

To create the ombre effect, Daniella poured Chanel Graphite onto a paper plate and dabbed a makeup sponge into it. She then very carefully brushed and sponged it across each nail, leaving one on each hand ombre free so we could create the superhero part of the manicure -- a lightning bolt! (More on that in a moment.) Starting from the middle of the nail, Daniella brushed more and more Graphite up toward the tip.

Next, Daniella dipped the clear nail polish brush into the Sephora silver glitter, to make it adhere better to the nail. She traced the ombre with the glitter-covered brush and then an orange stick to further define it.

Now came the piece de resistance. Using the orange stick, dipped into Graphite, Daniella carefully drew lightning bolts on my left index finger and right ring finger. Check it out up close:



Isn't that AMAZING?

To finish the look off and add even more definition, Daniella poured bits of Only Gold For Me onto a paper plate and then liberally coated the ombre and lightning bolts with it. The oversized chunks of glitter add flash and drama against the nude base and the shimmer of the Graphite.


A look at the paper plate and some of the supplies used to create the look!

My overall feeling about this look? I LOVE IT! I've been staring at my nails nonstop since Daniella painted them last night. They're dramatic, they're bold, they make me feel like a Sophisticated Superhero!

Stay tuned for more fabulous nail looks with Daniella! I can't wait to see what she creates next.

Remove Nail Polish In a Flash: Sephora Instant Nail Polish Remover

I don't usually trust products that claim to help you instantly. How is that really possible? But in the case of Sephora Instant Nail Polish Remover, well, your nail polish really does come off quick as a wink.

It takes a lot for me to stray from my beloved Zoya Remove+, but I just had to give this one a try. I love the squat, oversized bottle -- it contains so much remover that I know I'll be set for a pretty long time. (Though, I will say a lot of the product seems to disappear when you pull out the protective sponge -- mine was sopping wet with remover, which seemed like a pretty big waste.)

Would you believe that one cotton ball gently soaked with remover was enough to remove polish from all 10 of my nails? And this was on a week where I used glitter and shimmer, which usually take a ton of cotton balls to remove. Every trace of polish was gone in less than 20 seconds!

I also like that the remover doesn't smell terrible, so I didn't get a headache or have an annoying aroma of remover lingering throughout my apartment for the rest of the day.

Sephora Instant Nail Polish Remover retails for $9.50 at sephora.com.

The more you shop, the prettier the perks! Spend $1, earn a point. Get free samples, exclusive perks, birthday gifts and more.

The Beauty Holy Grail: Sephora Head To Toe Hydrator

I've found the holy grail. Really and truly, I have. I bet you didn't realize it came in the form of a moisturizer, did you? But Sephora Head To Toe Hydrator has become my savior.

I don't think I've ever come across a moisturizer that works as well on my hands and legs as it does on my face. Truth be told, I wouldn't want to use the same moisturizer on all of those areas -- the skin is so different, and my face is much more sensitive than my knees. But then this unassuming little tube came into my life, and all of a sudden, everything I thought I knew went right out the window.

How does the formula do it, you may ask? It's thanks to HydroSenn+, a natural ingredient that forms a protective barrier on the skin to harness and retain moisture.

Now, I see some of you shaking your heads. How can this lotion really hydrate you from head to toe? Case in point: My face has been extremely dry this winter, with scaly patches on my cheeks and forehead. One night with this moisturizer and the scaliness was GONE. Another case in point: My legs have been ashier than ever, and no amount of moisturizing with rich creams was helping. Enter this cream, and they were silken in just hours.

This moisturizer is a true miracle worker. I implore you to try it for yourselves.

Unfortunately, this product is no longer available.

Mani of the Week: Sephora By OPI Don't Go There with Orly Out Of This World

In case you can't tell, I'm really enjoying two-color manicures at the moment! This week I went for two complementary purples that had been sitting in my collection for, well, years. Shameful, I know! I used Sephora By OPI Don't Go There (from 2008's Autumn and Eve Collection), accenting with Orly Out Of This World. Out Of This World is from Orly's famed Cosmic FX Collection.

I love the creamy consistency of the Sephora by OPI color, especially paired with the glittery magic of Orly.

Closeup of Orly Out Of This World

What's on your nails this week? Let me know in the comments!

Sephora Introduces Same-Day Beauty Delivery!

Live in NYC? Love shopping at Sephora? Hate actually lugging the stuff home? Well, you're in luck ... because Sephora has just announced Same-Day Beauty Delivery! Order the products online and you're guaranteed to have them delivered that very day via a chic, iconic Mini.

Why? Because your time is precious.

Click here to find out more.

Beauty Launch: Sephora by OPI's Glee Nail Polish Collection!

Glee fans, take note -- Sephora by OPI is launching a nail polish collection just for you! Coming this February, the collection will include 7 shades inspired by the hit TV show.

The colors included in this collection are:

Slushied (opaque blue)
Hell to the No (bold purple)
Gleek Out (glittery lime green)
Diva-in-Training (poppy pink)
Who Let the Dorks Out (peacock green)
Miss Bossy Pants (rich raspberry)
Mash-Up (pearlescent greenish grey)

Each nail polish will retail for $9.50. You can also pick up a mini set of 6 polishes for $22 that includes Miss Bossy Pants, Gleek Out and Slushied in addition to Celibacy Club (diamond top coat), Express Yourself to Yourself (shimmery coral) and Sue Vs Shue (navy blue).

There will even be Chic Prints for Nails Design Appliqués (pre-cut strips of dry nail polish) in three different Glee-inspired designs, including Showstopper (gold stars), Berry Special (polka dots) and One Hit Wonder (music notes). Each Chic Prints will retail for $15.

The Shower Gel Journey: Sephora Pink Grapefruit Bath & Shower Bubbles

Grapefruit in a bottle? Oh YES! Count me in! Sephora Pink Grapefruit Bath & Shower Bubbles captures the tantalizing aroma of a freshly cut serving of pink grapefruit, set at a special brunch. Yum!

The bottle is flat (!), making it easy to hold in the shower or bath. Out comes the thick gel, filling the room with scents of grapefruit mixed with yuzu, lemon, tangerine, vanilla, musk and white woods. The combination delights and moisturizes with allure.

Whenever I enter a Sephora store, I’m captivated by the beauty and layout and excited to explore the distinctive products. Bring the in-store experience home with Sephora Bath & Shower Bubbles. Your skin will thank you.

Sephora Pink Grapefruit Bath & Shower Bubbles retails for $8. It is part of the Sephora Collection, which includes Pink Grapefruit Body Wash and Pink Grapefruit Body Butter, and is available at sephora.com.

D-I-V-I-N-E: Philosophy Candy Cane

How does Philosophy do it? Seriously, every single shower gel they create smells exactly the way I picture it.

Such is the case with Candy Cane, a limited-edition 3-in-1 (shower gel, bubble bath and shampoo) launching for the holiday season. The striped bottle contains a shower gel so pepperminty fresh, it should be illegal. Seriously, one dollop of this on your pouf and you'll be hooked.

Philosophy Candy Cane retails for $16 at Sephora.

Disclosure: This product was furnished by a PR representative for Philosophy.

Must-Have Mondays: Sephora Stimulating Lavender Cuticle Oil

I'm normally not a fan of lavender. There's something about the scent that, outside of spas, makes me run the other way. But all that changed when I came across the Sephora Stimulating Lavender Cuticle Oil.

Suddenly, I found myself jonesing for more and more lavender. Everywhere I went, I needed to have this little pen right by my side. I began compulsively applying the lavender-scented gel to my cuticles, sometimes up to three times a day, in the hopes that the scent would calm and soothe my nerves.

And you know what? It did. Plus it made my cuticles look a heck of a lot better than they had before, especially with the horrible weather conditions New York has experienced this season. Gone were the ravaged, dry, cracked and peeling cuticles of my past. Here to stay were cuticles so gorgeous, I actually started getting compliments.

It's been about a month of serious use with this pen, and I still can't get enough. My cuticles are moisturized and conditioned more than they ever have been, and my hands smell fantastic. What's not to love?

Sephora Stimulating Lavender Cuticle Oil is available for $12 at sephora.com.

Urban Decay's NEW Sin Primer Potion!

Okay, you’re all aware of what a huge fan I am of UDPP. (That’s Urban Decay Primer Potion, in case you didn’t know.) But did you know that the brand is now coming out with a new version of UDPP that will add shimmer to your lids? That’s right – underneath your shadow of choice will be Sin, a primer with shimmer baked right into the formula!

I am seriously so excited about this product that I am literally ordering it off of Sephora as I type this. At this time, you must be a Beauty Insider to order it (if you’re not one, what are you waiting for? You get free gifts every time you spend $100 AND you get a present on your birthday, in addition to perks like early ordering of fabulous items like this!).

Head to sephora.com now before it's totally out of stock. And check back soon for my review!

Are you as excited about this new version of UDPP as I am? Let me know in the comments!

Beauty Giveaway: Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster Palette

So, remember when I told you all about the fabulous Sephora Ultimate Blockbuster Palette? (Don't worry, you can check out the full deets here.) Well, I've decided to make one lucky beauty chick's dreams come true -- because I am giving the palette away! This palette has a $48 value and comes with the following:

71 eyeshadows
13 cream eyeshadows
5 blushes
1 compact powder
60 lipglosses
1 lip liner
1 eyeliner
4 brushes
3 sponge-tipped applicators

Best of all, it's limited-edition and completely out of stock on Sephora's website, so this is your last chance to find this amazing palette without spending a bundle on Ebay!

Entering is easy. Simply enter your name and email address in the box below. The winner will be selected on Saturday, January 10 and notified by email. It's that simple!



This giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway runs until Friday, January 9 at midnight. One entry per person, email address and IP address. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Must-Have Mondays: Sephora Scent Sampler Best Sellers For Her

Not sure what your favorite perfume is? Looking for that one signature scent to complete you, but haven't found it as yet? Well then, the Sephora Scent Sampler Best Sellers For Her set is totally up your alley.

This convenient, handy dandy little box packs quite a big punch. Inside it, you'll find a whopping ten deluxe samples of Sephora's -- you guessed it -- best selling fragrances, all of which are guaranteed to make you melt. You'll get samples of the following:

Aquolina Pink Sugar
Bulgari Omnia Crystalline
Calvin Klein Euphoria
Givenchy Very Irresistible Givenchy Sensual
Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B.
Lavnila Vanilla Grapefruit
Marc Jacobs Daisy
Philosophy Amazing Grace
Stella McCartney Stella
Vera Wang Princess

But that's not all ... it also contains a voucher that lets you get your favorite of the ten fragrances free! Yes, that's right. You pay only $50 at sephora.com, and then you can bring the voucher into any Sephora store and redeem it for your favorite of these amazing fragrances. And since each retails for way more than $50, you're getting such a fabulous deal! The only bad part is deciding which of these ten really calls your name.