57th SF International Film Festival

The 57th San Francisco International Film Festival takes place next week (April 24-May 8), so get your tickets before they're sold out. 168 films will be showcased from around the world, so there's a lot of great films to choose from. Here are a few previews: 

Claudia Sainte-Luce's debut feature, "The Amazing Catfish" ("Los Insólitos Peces Gato"), is an understated gem to savor. When lonely Claudia ends up in the hospital with appendicitis, she's pulled into the happily chaotic world of fellow patient Martha. As Claudia engages with Martha's lively household, she bears witness to Martha's daily struggle of living and dying with intention. Based loosely on the director's life, she teams up with cinematographer Agnès Godard to capture the warm, colorful scenes of Guadalajara.

Claudia Sainte-Luce's "The Amazing Catfish," playing at the 57th San Francisco International Film Festival.

Japanese singer Atsuko Maeda does a fine turn as couch potato Tamako in Nobuhiro Yamashita's light drama "Tamako in Moratorium" ("Moratoriamu Tamako"). Aimless and lethargic, loner Tamako returns home from college with little incentive to find a job. Her father endlessly dotes on her as she eats and sleep all day, but she eventually realizes that she needs to leave the nest and forge her own path. 

Atsuko Maeda in "Tamako in Moratorium."

A thinly-veiled self portrait of her past, Catherine Breillat's "Abuse of Weakness" is an honest account of a co-dependent relationship between a partially crippled filmmaker and a notorious con man. Isabelle Huppert is simply magnetic as Maud, a director recovering from a debilititating stroke. She soon discovers Vilko (Kool Shen), a celebrity con man and casts him in her next film. Painfully uncomfortable at times, it is an unflinching look at Maud's perverse power games with a dangerous man. 

Kool Shen and Isabelle Huppert in "Abuse of Weakness."For more festival information and tickets: www.sffs.org/festival-home. 

Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato

Shu Uemura just released Tint in Gelato, a bright and summery collection of lip and cheek color tints. Available in 12 fun gelato-inspired shades, the creamy texture has a decadent and luxurious slip.

I tried AT 01 Cassis Delight, a classic cherry red, and CR 03 Fancy Orange, a cool salmon pink. They are fantastic on the cheeks, resulting in a soft, semi-matte finish. The concentrated formula has tons of pigment, guaranteeing a budge-free stain for all-day coverage. 

Tint in Gelato in AT 01 Cassis Delight.

CR 03 Fancy Orange

Available for $28 at www.shuuemura-usa.com. 

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

NARS Contour Blush

Contouring fans will fully appreciate the new NARS Contour Blush. Designed to define and illuminate the face with foolproof results, each of the three duos (Olympia, Paloma, and Gienah) feature a deep contour shade as well as a corresponding highlight shade.

I prefer the Olympia duo as the matte ivory and warm rose beige combination goes well on my light-medium complexion. The ivory is a tad too matte for me, but it does give a subtle highlighting effect. If anything, it seems to act more like a powder foundation than a traditional highlighter. The contour shade, however, is excellent. It's the perfect color (not too dark) and I get instant definition. Hello, sculpted cheeks!

Available at www.narscosmetics.com.

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

Laura Mercier New Lip Glacé Shades

Now that spring is officially here, it's time to stock up on new shades of Laura Mercier's popular Lip Glacé lip gloss. Thirteen bright new options are yours for the taking — choose from the seasonal hot pink to bold coral to deep burgundy.

Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Azalea.

Moisturizing and non-sticky, these have a nice staying power, as far as lip glosses go. I got to try Azalea, a sheer candy pink, and Daiquiri, a dark pink with a flirty hint of coral. Azalea is perfect for those days when you want to tone it down, but you can also layer with a lip pencil if you want. Daiquiri is definitely a spring/summer shade to carry in your purse for the next several months. 

Lip Glace in Daiquiri.

Available at all Laura Mercier counters and www.lauramercier.com. 

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

Dolce & Gabbana Perfection Veil Pressed Powder

Dolce & Gabbana has some of the best milled powders, so it's no surprise that their new Perfection Veil Pressed Powder has the same exquisite texture as their foundations, blushes and eyeshadows.

The shades Natural Glow 2 (pale tan) and Soft Blush 3 (rose beige) were perfect for my light-medium complexion, with the Natural Glow being a smidge lighter on me. It's also a perfect match for Asian skin with yellow undertones. The powder is designed to extend foundation wear and eliminate shine, but if you don't wear a lot of makeup you can use it as a very light coverage. It's absolutely natural-looking and blends beautifully into the skin.

Available at www.saksfifthavenue.com. 

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

NARS Matte Multiple

A new twist on an iconic product, the NARS Matte Multiple is the latest addition to the beloved Multiple collection. Available in seven shades for easy blending and contouring, the texture is ultra smooth for foolproof application, even for makeup beginners. The semi-matte formula will last at least 7 hours, if not more. 

Laos, a bright warm pink coral, is just gorgeous on the skin. The pigment is so concentrated it practically flies off the tube. A few gentle dabs and you'll get the right amount of product for a springtime blush. Anguilla, a light ginger pink, is also very flattering but definitely more subtle. It's not as dark so you may need an extra layer to achieve the desired effect. What I really love about this is that it diffuses so beautifully on the cheeks without much effort. Love!

Available at www.narscosmetics.com.

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

Clarins Opalescence Spring 2014 Makeup

Along with their new Multi-Blush Cream Blush, the Clarins Opalescence spring 2014 makeup collection offers an array of easy-to-wear shades to create an effortless, radiant look. 

The limited edition Ombre Minerale 4 Couleurs Eye Quartet Mineral Palette in Vibrant Light consists of four spring-friendly shades: pink, white, grey and violet. The silky and blendable colors are pretty long-lasting with the exception of the glittery white one. To add more dramatic effect I like to add a layer of the Smoky Plum Ombre Minerale Mono Eye Shadow. 

For a subtle sun-kissed glow, the Opalescence Face & Blush Powder provides a smooth finish for the face. Use all three shades together to add a natural layer of warmth, or use the coral and brown shades separately as a bronzer and blush. 

The three new shades of Joli Rouge Brilliant Perfect Shine Sheer Lipstick may be on the sheer side, but they're still big on shiny color. The texture is very moisturizing, which is something I've come to expect from all Clarins lipsticks. Also, don't be fooled by the bright appearance — they're softer and quite wearable. Available in Tropical Pink, Coral Tulip, and Pink Orchid.

The Gloss Prodige Lip Gloss collection has two new shades: Coral Tulip and Crystal. The non-sticky gel texture makes it comfortable to wear and the mirror shine formula lasts for several hours. I'm addicted to the berry candy scent!

Available at all Clarins counters and www.clarinsusa.com. 

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

J Brand Luxe Sateen Super Skinny Jeans

A favorite denim brand of mine, J Brand has a crazy sale on their Luxe Sateen Super Skinny Jeans on Saks.com right now. They're now only $74 (originally $185), which is an amazing price. I snapped up the Jaipur and Presidio Olive colors and they still have a few sizes left of the Blueberry option. The tencel fabric is super soft and the fit is more like a legging. They're so stretchy and comfy I could wear these all day. Grab them now before they sell out!

Clarins Multi-Blush Cream Blush

A new makeup product from Clarins, the Multi-Blush Cream Blush can be used on both cheeks and lips. Formulated with rose, mimosa and sunflower waxes, the smooth cream-to-powder texture keeps the skin comfortable and hydrated all day long. 

Multi-Blush in Candy 02.

Four natural-looking shades are available: Peach 01, Candy 02, Grenadine 03, and Rosewood 04. Peach and Candy are especially flattering for those with fair-medium skin and Rosewood is great for those who need more contouring. The bright cherry red Grenadine is absolutely lovely once you blend it out with your fingertips. The compact is also petite enough to tuck into your tiny clutch for quick touch ups throughout the day. 

Clarins Multi-Blush in Grenadine 03.

Available for $30 at www.clarinsusa.com.

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

Marie Veronique Organics Pacific Lip Treatment

I've been way too busy lately, leaving little time to baby my perpetually chapped lips. As if answering my frantic plea for help, True Botanicals (formerly Marie Veronique Organics) just launched their new Pacific Lip Treatment to rescue my dehydrated pucker. Packed with jojoba, castor oil, beeswax, and shea butter, it features their proprietary MVO LipPlump, a blend of peptides and humectants to support collagen production and increase epidermal water content. The delicate lip area doesn't produce sebum so the jojoba adds extra protection from the elements.

Emollient but not heavy, you can apply a thin layer before using lipstick. I like to slather it on before jumping in the shower to let the steam penetrate it further. Use it day and night and you'll soon recover your plump, youthful pout. In fact, after a week, my lips have almost recovered its suppleness.  

To entice you further, when you buy any full size skincare kit, get the Pacific Lip Treatment for free ($68 value). Use special offer code LIPKIT at checkout. Offer ends March 4, 2014. Also, there's free shipping on all U.S. orders.

Available at truebotanicals.com.

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