Some new products come out and all you can wonder is: how did this not already exist? It took a mother of six girls, all of who indulge in weekly manicures, to come up with a start-to-finish nail kit, sans clutter. Barbara Lampugnale was beginning to go crazy with all the items needed for even a quick polish change, in salon or not, so she devised a bottle of lacquer that has a semi-hidden compartment. The bottom unscrews to reveal a nail file and 40 pre-soaked polish-remover pads. Genius! Especially for long days on the move when you sense a chip is imminent or for tossing in your travel bag (though for most vacations these days, I’m partial to gel manicures to avoid the polish cycle entirely). Stealthy manicurists and neurotic types who can’t bear an imperfect fingernail, you’ll welcome this addition to your cosmetics pouch.

Packs of two, in currently in Hot & Light Pink and Red & Sheer are available on QVC for $21.36 (from $23.50).

After trying every liquid eyeliner known to snob, from Lancôme’s Artliner to Stila’s Stay All Day to Make Up For Ever’s Aqua to Dior’s Style (and the list goes on), I’m shocked to say Buxom is the brand that takes the cake. I am OBSESSED with this liner. Honestly, there’s nothing else like it.

Waterproof and paraben-free (no sulfates or other bad stuff either), it’s got the basics I look for in my makeup. The Pen & Ink Long-Last liner also has extra edge: the felt applicator has a thin tip for a daytime-appropriate fine line or a thick side to vamp it up! Layer it on as twilight settles into moonlight, and let your inner femme fatale out – but it’s not like you’ll need to reapply. Buxom’s liquid liner beats out the competition because it simply does not smudge, even in the rain (and I’m running through SoHo in the rain right now!). At Sephora for $20.

There’s an amazingly well curated cosmetic boutique in Bal Harbour call Gee Beauty (very much like Space NK). I stopped in when I was in Miami a few months ago and they instantly won high credibility points for stocking a slew of my favorite brands including Clarisonic, Rodial, Rodin, Dr. Brandt, Serge Lutens – truly the best of the best. Better yet, I discovered a few products and brands that I was previously unfamiliar with, the most notable of which was This Works. The natural line uses 100% natural fragrance (and from what I can tell they all smell great), they’re based in the UK, and they work with British farmers to source their natural ingredients. I’m pretty surprised I haven’t seen the line around NYC yet because it’s comprehensive, has awesome packaging, and the prices aren’t bad. I bought this candle (heaven!), this hand cream (fast-absorbing, long-lasting, non-greasy), and this Advil alternative Check-out all the products here!

I discovered this new Japanese line in a small beauty boutique that just opened up near my house. Now if you know the area, you will understand how exciting it is to have a new store that actually has cool stuff!

Dr.Ci:Labo is a very extensive line, but there were two products that quickly caught my eye: this intensive hydrating cream, also known as Aqua-Collagen-Gel, and a brightening primer. We’ll get to the primer later cuz the cream is a much better product.

As the name suggests, it has a thick, gel-like consistency and it absorbs instantly with a neutral scent. With three serious skin-lifting ingredients (including oat grain and almond extract, as well as xanthan gum cross-polymer, which sounds way crazier than it is) and actual collagen, this is a triple-action cream. It also fights wrinkles and, of course, as with all Asia-based lines, it whitens. Best of all, this stuff keeps your skin supple and moist for an entire day. I was in the desert and in need of something intensely hydrating, so I was happy to see that after a whole night out my skin was still looking pretty good the next morning.

As for its long-term effects, we will still have to see. But I’m getting the full-size jar, which shows how much I like it! On Amazon for $87.

When I think of Williams-Sonoma, I think quality products, namely for the pantry and countertop. But they know housewares, no it’s no surprise they even hit the mark with their hand soap and lotion collections. And you have lots of choices of this luxurious combo: French Lavender, Tuscan Fig, Vert Frais, Lemongrass, Meyer Lemon, Fleur de Sel, or English Cucumber. My favorite is the Pink Grapefruit. The hand soap has aloe vera, olive oil, glycerin, and lemon; the lotion features shea butter, soybean, olive, and sunflower oils. And, of course, they both have that delicious pink grapefruit that smells fresh and invigorating. Since they’re free of parabens, ammonia, and other unwanted ingredients, they are biodegradable and green – and are not tested on animals! The durable plastic containers come with a pump top and sit in a stainless steel caddy. And at 16 oz. each, you get a plenty! This is a terrific gift that’s perfect for the kitchen or bathroom. At Williams-Sonoma for $29.95

I first tried the cream on my hands at an event I went to a few weeks ago and couldn’t believe how butter soft they were even hours later. It’s an amazing firming and hydrating cream and it’s lightweight enough that you can easily layer it over an acne lotion, SPF, or whatever else you might use. It gives an instant tightening feeling, but without the dryness that is often associated with that. Plus it absorbs quickly and provides long-lasting hydration, while smoothing out your skin. Def a new favorite!

Tinsley Mortimer will be at the NorthPark Center Neiman Marcus to celebrate her debut novel on Friday, May 18th from 6 to 8 PM. Come stop by!

Bobbi Brown is feeling the heat this summer. More specifically, the Miami heat. Her seasonal collection is designed to make you look like you just spent the last few sunny days lounging in a cabana at the Delano. Or, as she says, it “recreates that fresh glowing look you get at the beach.” Think warm corals, shimmering golds, and a sun-kissed complexion.

The new limited-edition shades of Bobbi’s Treatment Lip Shine ($23), a light, rejuvenating lipstick that’s ideal for day, include: Peach Sorbet, Pink Seashell, Sunset Beach, and Orchid Pink. I’m also psyched for new Long-Wear Cream Shadow ($24) hues – Copper, Bronze Sugar, Nude Beach, and Candlelight. With guaranteed no-crease wear for up to 12 hours, this will be the touch of shimmer I need for a day in the heat.

Or I might opt for a limited-edition sheen: Shimmer Cheek Glow ($39) imparts a natural, not tacky glow, in your choice of classic Gold or pinkish Miami, and the Shimmering Fragrance Oil ($34), infused with Bobbi’s yummy beach scent, moisturizes the body with olive, sesame, avocado, and jojoba oils. Whether you’re a beach bunny through and through or you prefer afternoons spent shopping on Collins Avenue, the heat is most definitely on. Available at Bobbi Brown.

Ever since I started coloring my hair, I’ve become conscious of ingredients in my shampoos. Not for health reasons. It’s pure vanity. I want to make sure nothing will strip away the color and highlights that I painstakingly sit through every few months (gray hairs be damned!). The latest to hit my shower: Bumble and Bumble‘s Color Minded Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner.

What are sulfates you ask? Sulfates are basically surfactants, the substances that decrease the surface tension of the water so that it spreads out easily. They are also called wetting agents, as they make the water wetter. The rich lather that you get while applying shampoos is mainly due to sulfates. So why exactly is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate bad for hair? The answer lies in the chemical constitution of this compound. It tends to make hair dry very quickly and strips your hair off its moisture and other essential oils. It also damages your hair follicles and results in hair loss; it’s extremely dangerous to hair follicles that are exposed. Eek! Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is also harmful to color-treated hair, as it tends to fade your new hue with every wash.

Then why do cosmetic brands keep using it?! That’s because consumers like the rich lather it achieves (it makes us feel like our hair is getting cleaner, I suppose).

My new shampoo ($29) felt like lotion at first; when I poured it into my hand, it felt thick and sticky. But it lathered up just fine, and my hair felt so clean after rinsing. The conditioner ($32) was just as good as any I’ve ever tried. It’s not as moisturizing as some other brands, but it gave my hair shine. Just a slick of UV protective polish and it was easy to blow dry my hair to salon-like results. I like it much better than the Aveda Black Malva color shampoo (even though Aveda smells delicious).

ShoeSnob is giving away another shoe from Rachel Zoe’s latest Collection!

The Beauty Stop explains how to score beauty discounts and freebies via Facebook.

Stiletto Jungle explains five common self-tanning mistakes and how to avoid them.

What does Mom want? A bag of course! But not just any bag will do for Mom, which is why BagSnob is giving away the JET SET tote bag from Michael Kors!

Allie is Wired has a look at Terry Richardson’s pictures from the opening night of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball Tour.

The stress of traveling can be greatly reduced with something as simple as a brilliant set of pouches. TotSnob now lives by the Züca Packing Pouches.

Coquette’s still in the mood for white and chooses her favorite white heels and sandals for spring and summer.

The Aussies have a delightfully irreverent way with fashion and an quirky take on the high-low mix. The girls Down Under also know how to flaunt what they’ve got up top – without showing off all the goods. CoutureSnob shows you how to flaunt yours like a snob.

Talking hair: More fromThe Jet Set Girls interview with Zooey Deschanel!

Second City Style wonders If Your Ex-Boyfriend Was A Pair Of Shoes… because nothing captures a lady’s heart more quickly than truly fabulous footwear.

Find out what JewelSnob has to say about the Aurélie Bidermann Cités d’Or Feather Earrings.

Shopping and Info loves the David Yurman gold cuffs and bracelets for an arm party this summer.

When it comes to drugstore mascara, L’Oréal has always been my favorite. So I am always willing to try whatever new products they have to offer. A double-sided mascara with regular wand on one side and sparkly glitter on the other sounds great for quick day-to-evening transitions, right? That is, if it is actually sparkly or glittered.

After applying a number of coats, I could hardly detect a single glimmer, even under close inspection and magnified mirror. To be precise, I found two specs of glitter – two are by no means enough to “illuminate.” The problem: the glitter is too big to be picked up by the wand, so it just sits stuck at the base of the wand-stick. I can see it down there, but there’s nothing I can do to get on my lashes. As far as their “double extend” abilities go, this is still as good a mascara as it ever was, so I didn’t totally waste my money. I still have the one useful side, and it does a very good job of lengthening. L’Oréal should just stick to their basics from now on: volume-enhancing and double-extending, sans glitter. On Amazon for $6.96.

I have used Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment for almost two years now. It’s always on my face, even for a quick run at the gym. When I ran out of my third bottle last month, I noticed there were now two other foundation options. When I started using Métier de Beauté, the line literally consisted of just an eyeliner (the amazing Liquid Precision Eyeliner) and Peau Vierge! I decided to request samples of the Soft Touch Tinted Moisturizer and the Classic Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation to see how they stack up against each other. And here are the results!
(All are available at Neiman Marcus.)

1. Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Complexe Tinted Treatment ($125):
This anit-aging treatment is a tough one to beat. Nothing makes me glow more than the Peau Vierge Tinted Treatment. Its 4-in-1 formula is the best! It’s got everything: foundation, sun protectant, anti-aging fighter, and radiance brightener. The coverage is light to medium, but you can layer as many coats as necessary and it will not look cakey. Every person I have turned this product on to has become an addict!

2. Soft Touch Tinted Moisturizer with SPF15 ($75):
Just as the title describes, this is both lightweight and oil-free, making it ideal for the humid summer weather in Asia – or anywhere, for that matter. The coverage is very sheer, which is great for the beach or poolside when you just want a touch of glow. I layered this under Peau Vierge and the effect was very pretty, yet very sheer.

3. Classic Flawless Finish Liquid Foundation ($68):
I never thought I’d like anything as much as Peau Vierge, but this comes very close! It is so creamy, and it goes on incredibly smooth – just perfect for dinner dates, or whenever you need extra coverage. It doesn’t give the glow that Peau Vierge does, so I still dabbed a little of that over the Flawless Finish around the eye area for a touch of radiance. It is a full coverage foundation; meaning, it even covers all my little freckles. It is a bit heavier than the two other options above, and a little goes a long way. I will definitely be using this for photo shoots, too!

After playing around with Too Faced’s Lash Extension System, I was inspired to go test lash curlers. Lately, I’ve seen some pretty crazy contraptions that look like they would burn your cornea, along with your lashes.

Most I’ve come across are like the Talika ($35.49), a typical lash curler with a heated element – which I’m sorry but only works if you have super-long lashes, which I DO NOT. I can barely get the tippy ends of my lashes in there, so it does me no good.

But the heated curlers by Blinc ($18.38) and DiorShow ($25) are different: they come with a flat wand you press up against your lashes, so it doesn’t matter how long – or short! – your lashes are AND you can’t accidentally hurt yourself (at least not easily).

They both are (replaceable) battery operated. Turn on your curler on and give it a minute to heat up, using before mascara. Go under your top lashes, push the wand up, and keep it there for a few seconds (I didn’t want to risk any longer). I kept repeating until I got the optimal curl. Remember, there is a limit to how much your lashes can actually curl and you will know it when you reach that point.

As far as I can tell, Blinc and Dior work the exact same way, and the Blinc is cheaper, so guess who won and came home with me? One difference: Dior’s directions say to use their curler after applying mascara to eliminate clumps, which you do at the peril of the curler – and the risk of raccoon eyes. It gets warm, so I imagine it can get pretty messy; if you decide to do it that way, you can easily wipe the surface clean while it’s still slightly hot (it doesn’t get scalding, so if you use a thick paper towel, it won’t burn you).

These work amazingly well and allow your mascara to enjoy full effects. If you’re anything like me, you might get a little greedy and be tempted to try the curler out on fakes. To be safe, test it out to see if it will melt the falsies first, before attacking your eyelids. Also, don’t get addicted! I’m definitely not going to take the heat every day. Be careful with your precious lashes and use tools like these sparingly.

All available on Amazon.

I didn’t realize how over bright, quirky and even dark nails I was until I caught sight of Amy Adams on the Met Museum’s Costume Institute Gala’s red carpet on Monday. After months of searing neon polish, Amy’s Essie nails look fresh and chic. For the opening of Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, Amy kept it fabulously elegant in a Giambattista Valli gown and tumbling, thirties’ screen siren-style hair. The ideal complement to a deep red lip? A naturally manicured nail. One coat of Essie’s classic pink shade Mademoiselle and a second of nude Brooch the Subject, out of their Winter 2011’s Cocktail collection, made for a delicious pairing: the pink-tinted flesh tone.
Follow Amy’s hands-on approach to glamour and try melding the two colors yourself for your next evening event.

Mademoiselle, $5, and Brooch the Subject, $4.10, available on Amazon.

It’s hard to believe that a single soap can offer everything from cleaning to antibacterial protection, brightening, reducing pore size, exfoliating, and even providing anti-aging and SPF. Seriously, can one bar of soap really be this powerful? If it’s Cor Silver soap, then yes. This soap delivers, and it’s pretty amazing. The only claim a bit hard for me to believe was SPF; everything else was understandable. But SPF in a soap? Well, yes, it contains the ingredient Sericin, which has a protein that binds to your skin. It doesn’t wash off, and its light-reflecting quality acts like a sunscreen. Since you can never be too sure, it is still advisable to use it in addition to your own sunscreen. But it is great to know that if I forget to apply mine or am in a huge hurry, all I need to do is use this soap to cover all my bases.

It leaves the skin quite soft and supple and it does produce that super-clean feel that some people like. But I find it makes my skin feel a bit tight and naked, so I moisturize immediately after washing (which I do anyway).  I love keeping Cor Silver soap in my shower since I can easily and quickly wash my face no matter how hurried I am. It even stands up to my white-towel test. After washing off my makeup with this, there’s no residue left on the towel when I dry. The perfect cleanser for the summer when you really need a good cleaning. And, of course, SPF is a huge bonus.

This multi-purpose soap also contains hyaluronic acid (a wonderful humectant that promotes skin hydration), pomegranate (a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from environmental damage), Jojoba and Aloe (that soothe the skin), and avocado’s Vitamins A and E, so necessary for healthy skin. Available at Cor in two sizes: travel size (30g), $40, and The One (120g), $125.

A decade of diligently using my Sonicare toothbrush means that my teeth are pretty white and I don’t have any cavities. I do however drink coffee in the morning and tea throughout the day so they could definitely be a little whiter. After meeting the wife and co-founder of the aesthetic dentist that came up with GLO Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device ($275), I am certainly intrigued to try this route. I’ve done Crest stripes before and have found them to be incredibly effective, but they started to cause sensitivity so I haven’t used them in a long while. GLO supposedly does not cause sensitivity (just make sure to keep it away from your gums), and has won more prestigious awards than I can name.

To use this kit simply apply the GLO gel onto your teeth and put on the mouthpiece for four consecutive eight-minute applications per day. They suggest doing this for three to five days in a row or up to 10 consecutive days depending on how stained your teeth are. You’ll only have to this twice a year. Also if you’ve used Crest stripes you might have experiences some lip dryness, which is why GLO’s kit comes with a lip care product. Another point of difference is that I sometimes had trouble getting the stripes to stay in place, this isn’t a problem with GLO thanks to the mouthpiece.

Again, I haven’t tried this myself, but based on the clinical studies (and the co-founder’s stellar teeth), it looks like a promising device!

FACE
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++
At Sephora for $42.
Zen Blush
At Barneys for $28.

EYES
Lhasa Single Eyeshadow
At Sephora for $24.
Marie-Galante Duo Eyeshadow
At Sephora for $34.
Rue Bonaparte Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner
At Sephora for $23.

LIPS
Papua Lip Liner Pencil
At Sephora for $22
Buenos Aires Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil
At Sephora for $24.

FACE
Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
At Sephora for $42.
Penny Lane Cream Blush
At Sephora for $28
Douceur Blush
At Sephora for $28

EYES
Panama Eyebrow Pencil
At Barneys for $22
Rue Saint-Honore Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner
At Sephora for $23
All About Eve Duo Eyeshadow
At Sephora for $34
Blue Bayou Eyeliner Stylo
At Sephora for $27

LIPS
Volga Pure Matte Lipstick
At Sephora for $25

Exciting news from iS Clinical! Their new, much more accessible “iS” line doesn’t require consultation for use and will be sold online. Based off the brand’s original principles, iS will also be pharmaceutical-grade, botanically based, and results-oriented. I’m most excited about the Extreme Protect SPF 30, a revolutionary sunblock that uses their breakthrough Extremozyme technology. It prevents damage on a level like we’ve never seen and helps helps stop skin cancer development!

My other instant favorites include the Instant Smoothing Gel, which is like an instant facelift, and the Age Treatment Complex, formulated to rid your face of discoloration, boost radiance, and kick dead, dull cells.

Thanks to iS Clinical, we are doing a massive giveaway to get you ready for summer. Allo you have to do to win is follow iS Clinical @iSCLINICAL and @Beauty_Snob on Twitter (Leave a comment with your Twitter handle!).

10 lucky followers will receive the iS Essentials Kit, valued at $44, which contains trial sizes of: Daily Cleanser, Age Treatment Complex, Reparative Moisturizer, and Restorative Eye Complex.

And one very lucky follower will receive the big prize: the entire full-sized line, valued at $634! Good luck, snobs!

I love a good nighttime ritual – in-room massages, fresh, high thread-count sheets, salted baths…I could happily start getting ready for bed at 6pm! So I always welcome an evening addition, like Korres’ new Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial, a lush cream you apply allover after washing your face before hitting the sheets.

Richer than a night cream and lighter than a mask, we all know wild rose oil has the ability to heal and moisturize and that Vitamin C is an energy booster for skin. But Korres has elevated their ingredients with a Phos Compound that’s got a brightening agent. They stress that it takes about two weeks to see dramatic results – skin that’s noticeably more radiant (a word that gets thrown around a little generously in the beauty world, if you ask me) and even-toned. I just started using the facial two nights ago, and I will admit that so far, the most pleasurable part is the smooth application. But my skin did already feel softer and silkier by morning. I’ll give you an update in two weeks – let’s hope for “radiant” results! At Sephora for $48.