Recchiuti Confections Merry Christmas Box

If you love Recchiuti Confections (and who doesn't?!), now is the perfect time to get their elegant chocolates at a lower price. I would stock up on their S'mores Bites, Dragee Sampler and Pate de Fruits if I were you. Valid through this weekend only, use the promo code MERRY to shave 20% off.

The new Merry Christmas Box ($45) would make a splashy hostess gift. The 16-piece truffle assortment includes cult favorites like their Burnt Caramel Truffle as well as Piedmont Hazelnut and Rose Caramel. If you really want to spoil someone special the Very Merry Christmas Box ($85) is a deluxe version with 32 pieces. 

Shop now at www.recchiuti.com. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand's PR representative.

Clarins Super Restorative Day & Night Creams

Clarins fans can look forward to the new formula of their popular Super Restorative Day SPF 20 cream ($122). Featuring organic harungana leaf to revive hormone-depleted fibroblasts, the plant extract is touted as a powerful ingredient that's even more powerful than retinol. In fact, harungana is referred to as the "healing tree" in Madagascar. 

The cream is designed for mature skin but I feel younger folks can benefit from it. It takes only a minute to soak in and it's a solid day cream to protect yourself from the onslaught of wind and freezing temps.

The Super Restorative Night ($130) version is a bit heavier but I prefer its soothing texture. It works quickly to soften my parched skin and this particular formula contains organic Montpellier rock-rose extract to fade age spots. Results are quite promising as clinical tests showed a 32% reduction after a month. 

Available at www.clarinsusa.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand's PR representative.

SK-II Cellumination AuraBright

Cult Japanese skincare brand SK-II is back with a new product. Featuring their proprietary Soft Aura Bright complex, the Cellumination AuraBright Illuminating Essence is designed to improve brightness and skin texture while reducing age spots. Powerful ingredients like Pitera, ume extract, Pixel-White, niacinamide and De-Melano P3C are selected to boost luminosity, clarity and radiance.

Using 1-2 droppers of product, I layer it on before my serum and moisturizer at night. It adds an unexpectedly rich layer of moisture and my face feels baby soft. I also get an instant glow upon application and when I use it consistently the radiance sustains itself wonderfully. I saw initial results after a week but I expect to see more after another month.

Available in 1 fl oz ($160) and 1.6 fl oz ($235) sizes. Available at all SK-II counters and www.sk-ii.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand's PR representative.

Aftelier Organic Honeysuckle Face Elixir

Artisan parfumeur Mandy Aftel never ceases to amaze me with her thoughtful, passionate creations. On top her extensive perfume collection she also has a small curated selection of skin and body care products. The Aftelier Organic Honeysuckle Face Elixir is the newest addition and it is just sublime. 

Voluptuous, lush, and intoxicating, it features a rare honeysuckle absolute from Italy. The ripe fruit notes are definitely sweet but remain balanced. It also has hints of jasmine, which makes me want to bathe myself with it all the more. If Mandy also made this as a body oil I'd be in serious trouble. 

Crafted with organic rice bran, sweet almond, apricot kernel, camellia, grapeseed, squalene and rosehip seed oils, the lightweight formula absorbs instantly. A few drops is all you need for this gorgeous beauty treatment. It's like wearing a luxurious veil of perfume, except it also has exceptionally healing skincare benefits. I can't stop smelling my hands after using it at bedtime and its precious fragrance lulls me into a web of beautiful dreams. 

Available for $65 (15 ml) at www.aftelier.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand's PR representative.

Eminence Holiday Gift Sets

Eminence is offering two lovely holiday kits for gift-giving. Featuring a few of their popular treatments from their expansive skincare line, these limited edition sets are a wonderful value. Each gift also includes an entry code to win a trip to the Bacara Resort & Spa. 

The Body Retreat Gift Set ($40) contains a full-size bottle of the fruity Apricot Body Oil (8.2 fl oz) and a tube of the nourishing Coconut Sugar Scrub (4 fl oz). I'm a huge fan of both items and these are perfect for an at-home spa experience. 

Banish stressed, puffy eyes with the Eye Rescue Duo Gift Set ($70). It includes the creamy and hydrating Wild Plum Eye Cream (0.5 fl oz) and the refreshing Cucumber Eye Gel (0.5 fl oz). These travel-friendly options are also great for reviving dry skin after a long flight. I like to use the cucumber gel for daytime while the wild plum is perfect for evening.

To find a local spa retailer, to go eminenceorganics.com.

For editorial consideration, review products were provided by the brand's PR representative.

Dolce & Gabbana Lift Foundation & Primer

The lightweight Lift Foundation Perfect Reveal Lift Foundation ($72) from Dolce & Gabbana features the same Gold-Flavo-Silk Tricomplex as their Aurealux skincare line. The anti-aging blend of gold silk sericin, Italian olive oil and vitamin B3 helps restore moisture, smooth skin texture and increase radiance immediately and over time. After 4 weeks of usage you can expect to see a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles.

The natural-looking coverage is medium to full so I use just a little over a half pump. A small amount goes a long way and the long-lasting formula is also fairly water resistant. I got splashed with light rain as I was testing this product and my makeup still looked good afterward. I still have some color so Natural Glow 100 is a perfect match for me while Creamy 80 would be great when I get paler in the winter. The difference between the two shades is subtle so I can get away with mixing in a bit of Creamy 80 for more radiance. 

The Primer Sheer Radiance Make Up Base ($64) is also infused with gold silk sericin and olive oil extracts to provide all-day hydration as well as a smooth canvas for perfect makeup application. It has the look and smell of my favorite sunscreen and the creamy texture allows you to use it alone as a light daytime moisturizer. It includes a UV protection of SPF 30 and one pump is plenty for the entire face. As a bonus, when I use this primer I don't need to use as much liquid foundation.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Sephora and Nordstrom. 

For editorial consideration, review products were provided by the brand's PR representative.

Recchiuti Confections Harvest Truffles & Champagne Truffles

The holidays are fast approaching and Recchiuti Confections is offering two splendid options for all kinds of festive occasions. Available through November, the seasonal Harvest Truffles Box ($26; 3.5 oz) would be a popular hostess gift for any upcoming Halloween parties or Thanksgiving dinners. The fall-inspired 9-piece collection includes a melange of Cinnamon Malt, Mandarin and Cranberry Pomegranate flavors.

Cassia cinnamon and barley malt lend a warm, silky texture to the Cinnamon Malt truffle while mandarin orange oil gives a subtle yet aromatic bouquet to the Mandarin. The tart cranberry pomegranate gelee within the Cranberry Pomegranate truffle is refreshing and well-balanced by the dark chocolate ganache.

A perennial favorite, the Champagne Truffle Box ($25; 6oz) are creamy French-style truffles infused with 2010 Schramsberg Blanc de Noir. Crisp, bright notes meld perfectly with Recchiuti's proprietary blend of Valrhona chocolate. Like all the other chocolates offered by the brand, these rich truffles will be a major hit and are available now through February 2015.

To purchase Recchiuti Confection chocolates, go to www.recchiuti.com. 

For editorial consideration, review products were provided by the brand's PR representative.

True Nature Botanicals Solid Perfumes

I adore the skincare from True Nature Botanicals so I was pretty excited when I found out about their line of Solid Perfumes. Housed in refillable compacts, each of the three scents are made with 100% natural noble materials. This means that each ingredient possesses the highest purity and concentration available. As a result, the perfumes are much more potent and complex than typical scent sprays.

I like the petite size of the luxurious heavy metal compact — it makes it easy to tuck it into your purse for touch ups during the day. I was quite tempted by the Noble Woods fragrance but ended up trying the Noble Floral. Featuring primary notes of jasmine, rose and tuberose, it also contains citrus, ylang ylang, ginger, vanilla and sandalwood. It feels like I'm sitting in the middle of a lush jasmine garden, but it soon dries down to a sweet and effervescent finish. On my skin I can even detect fresh, delicious notes of cotton candy. 

Can't decide which one to get? You can request a free sampler at truebotanicals.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand's PR representative.

Tarte Away Oui Go Portable Palette & Collector's Set

Of all the makeup sets that Tarte is offering this holiday season, the Away Oui Go Portable Palette & Collector's Set is one of the most lavish ones to consider. An insane deal for only $48, the set contains $410 worth of products. 

You get sixteen full-size Amazonian Clay Eyeshadows, four Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blushes, three deluxe size Maracuja Lip Glosses, one deluxe size Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara, and a cute embossed portable mirror compact to carry your preferred makeup palette.

I love how the blushes and eyeshadows are organized into four different color schemes — just select one to put in the compact and stash it in your purse or travel case. The matte and shimmer eyeshadows are mostly on the neutral side so they should flatter most skin tones. If you've tried their popular Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush then you already know these four limited edition shades will have great pigmentation. This should please every beautyholic!

Available exclusively at www.ulta.com. 

For editorial consideration, review products were provided by the brand's PR representative.

NARS Gabon Hardwired Eyeshadow & Femme Fleur Hardwired Lipstick

Straight from their Laced with Edge 2014 holiday makeup collection, NARS Cosmetics has a few lovely trinkets to lust after. Architectural designer Chris Kabatsi's delicate nebula print adorns the soft black packaging, which makes the beauty experience all the more special.

The Gabon Hardwired Eyeshadow is a gorgeous dark olive shade with micronized gold sparkle. Thanks to the new formula, it's real easy to blend and is very pigmented when applied dry. It can hold up for most of the day without primer but there is some sparkle fall out — something I can overlook as it's so pretty and flattering, especially for the holidays.

The Femme Fleur Hardwired Lipstick, a warm brown red with a gold copper finish, complements the Gabon eyeshadow perfectly. It's not quite as opaque as their fabulous Audacious Lipsticks, but a few extra swipes will solve the issue. It goes on smoothly and lasts several hours before wearing off. 

The NARS holiday collection is now available at www.narscosmetics.com and at department stores on November 1.  

For editorial consideration, review products were provided by the brand's PR representative.