Dolce & Gabbana Evocative Beauty Fall 2010 Makeup

Dolce & Gabbana is showcasing dark, sensual lips and glamorous eyes this season. Their Evocative Beauty Fall 2010 makeup collection features deep purples, blues, light pinks and even the occasional orange. Wearing their new colors, Scarlett Johansson looks so sexy and feral as their beauty spokeswoman.

Let's start with the peepers. The Eyeshadow quad in Divine 147 is a soft violet and pink palette. Two neutral shades are included to blend the look together. The shades look darker in the photo but the finish is quite soft and lovely. It contrasts nicely with the bold cream lipsticks (Lust and Amethyst). To finish the eyes, The Eyeliner pencils (Onyx 11 & Chocolate 10) will really stay put unless you've got really oily skin. I like Onyx as the gray charcoal gives strong definition without the need for a harsh black line.

Two new eyeshadow duos were also launched. Ocean 180 is a greenish blue and gray violet combo that's soft enough for daytime. You can even get away with this for Spring. All you have to do is layer more on for a smoky nighttime look. I love this one as it sets off my brown eyes so perfectly. The Evocative 95 duo didn't work as well, as the pink and cocoa brown sorta gave a strange pallor to my face. I think it's great for a lighter complexion that doesn't contain any yellow undertones.

The new Fall lipsticks have wonderful staying power. Even when it finally wears off the color still looks great. My favorite of the four shades is Orchid 115, which is a gorgeous shiny fuschia. For the wannabe goth girls, Amethyst 165 (dark grape) or Lust 167 (chocolate brown) will make you totally swoon. On the complete opposite of the color spectrum, Cosmopolitain 237 (bright pinky orange) will add a splash of hot color to a cooler season. This shade also comes with a matching nail polish. With these stand out shades, you don't need a dramatic eye but definitely go for it if you can pull it off.

The matching lip glosses are also really nice with a subtle iridescent shimmer. Vibrant 143 (bright raspberry pink) reminds me of an Armani gloss, but it's not as glittery. Amethyst 155 (shimmering dark grape) goes very well with the Amethyst and Lust lipsticks. These semi-sheer glosses are highly pigmented so you can wear them alone without any lip liner.

Exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue. For more info go to dolcegabbanamakeup.com.

For editorial consideration, product samples were provided for this review.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat Baking Mixes

As promised I finally got to review two of the new Vosges baking mixes. The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix is quite rich. The directions call for two sticks of butter so you know the end result will be beyond delicious. The box yields 12 giant cookies (or about 3 dozen regular ones). I could only eat two regular-sized cookies and my sweet tooth was more than satisfied. The S.O., on the other hand, managed to gobble down at least six in one sitting. We gave away some to our friends and they were inhaled within minutes.

If you do make the smaller sized cookies (about 1 tablespoon raw dough), you might want to check them at 8-9 minutes. The jumbo ones take about 13 minutes to bake. I love the recipe - it's crispy on the outer edge and chewy in the center. Perfect.

I think I gained a pound just by looking at the Caramel Toffee Chocolate Chunk Brownie Mix. It's more like a molten chocolate cake when it first pops out of the oven, but as it settles it becomes a gooey, dense mass of toffee swirled with fudgy chocolate. Vosges founder Katrina Markoff did a superb job at finding that part cake, part chewy brownie middle ground. I love how the toffee chunks melted into these slightly chewy bits of caramel. These brownies are so rich that you really have to eat one small piece at a time. I didn't think the box would yield 16 servings but unless you wanna go into a major sugar coma, it's wise to eat the recommended serving size.

As much as I love sweets, I didn't have time to bake the Love Goddess Cake Mix just yet. I'll report on it when I do. In the meantime, I need to go burn off five thousand calories...

Buy these new baking mixes at www.vosgeschocolate.com.

For editorial consideration, product samples were provided for this review.

Aqua Perfecta & Crispin's Rose Liqueur

Lately I've been curious about the culinary uses of fruit liqueurs and Craft Distillers makes a seriously addictive one. The Aqua Perfecta line has a divine Framboise Liqueur (raspberry) that's very awesome on its own as a digestif. You can drizzle it all over your brownies, ice cream, pancakes or French toast. Yummmm. The Poire Liqueur (pear) can be paired with cheese, pork or duck. Thank goodness I got these wee lil' samples or I'd be downing most of the bottle in no time.

If you want something much more fragrant, Crispin's Rose Liqueur is your best bet. Mendocino distiller Crispin Cain hand-distills a honey-apple mead on an antique cognac still, then infuses it with 17 types of hand-picked heirloom rose petals. How insane is that? The result is a beautifully sweet liqueur (but not too sweet) with an intense floral bouquet. Honeybees might start swarming around you after you sip this nectar.

To buy or learn more: craftdistillers.com and stgeorgespirits.com.

Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Shusu Sleek

This month, Shu Uemura Art of Hair launched the new Shusu Sleek hair care line and it promises to tame frizzy and coarse hair. Inspired by luxurious Shusu silk, the paraben-free formulas contain black cumin oil to smooth and enrich the hair. This line works quite well as I didn't need any conditioning serums after washing. I just used the dryer for 3-4 minutes and let it air dry afterward. Lo and behold, no frizz. Just smooth, shiny hair.

I just love the conditioner. It's not very thick and viscous so it rinses off easily. Plus, my hair smells sooo good, even after 24 hours. If you have really unmanageable hair, I'd try the intense Shushu Sleek Smoothing Treatment. That should make your hair feel like buttah.

There are two styling products that launched in recent months: Ample Angora Volumizing Light Foam and Kaze Wave Sensual Curl Texturizing Foam. Both are these have a light, flexible hold so you won't get that hard crunchy feel. Ample Angora is made for fine hair (medium hold) and contains Japanese Cedar Bud to fortify the hair.

Kaze Wave contains Acacia Gum and is ideal for wavy or curly hair. This also has UV filters to protect your beautiful tresses. Both smell quite dreamy with Lily of the Valley and green floral scents. Despite the lightweight finish, your hair will hold up for many hours, even after a hectic day of work. Color me impressed.

Like the rest of the Shu Uemura Art of Hair line these products are a luxurious splurge, but if you're rather obsessed with your lovely locks it's totally worth the investment.

To buy: shuuemuraartofhair-usa.com

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

Hourglass Femme Rouge Lipstick

The new Hourglass Femme Rouge is one powerful lipstick. Ultra lightweight and extremely creamy, it rivals some of the top luxury beauty brands. The velvet creme lip color is so intense (I tried the Icon deep cherry red shade) that I honestly needed only two quick swipes to get plenty of rich coverage. I even had to dial it back and add a neutral lipgloss to lessen the brightness of the shade. It's a great femme fatale look for Fall and Winter.

This lipstick is quite water-resistant and lasts for a long time. I didn't need a touch up after going out on a dinner date, but you might need one if you wear it all day. Another great thing about this lipstick is that it doesn't contain any parabens. The luxe engraved bullet tube feels very sturdy and is refillable, so if you buy one don't toss it away when you're done with it.

For those who aren't familiar with Hourglass Cosmetics, their new Artistic Director Gina Brooke is Madonna's makeup artist (along with Gisele Bundchen, Anne Hathaway, etc.) and was the former Artistic Director for Shu Uemura. This tidbit gives you an idea of the pedigree behind this line. If it's good enough for Gina, it's good enough for you.

Available at hourglasscosmetics.com, Barneys New York and Sephora.com.

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

John Masters Organics Bar Soaps

I've been using hair care from John Masters Organics for a while and was curious about their new bar soaps. The Orange & Ginseng Exfoliating Body Bar has a delicate citrus scent that's not overwhelming. Organic lemon and orange peels gently exfoliate while ginseng root revitalizes the skin. It's also made with organic palm and coconut oils to deliver moisturizing properties.

Their multi-tasking Birch & Cedarwood Cleansing & Shaving Bar has a light woody scent. Both men and women can use it for shaving (no irritation!). Olive oil and aloe extract are also added to help soothe the skin. The Lavender, Rose Geranium & Ylang Ylang Soap just smells lovely. Gentle enough for the face, this one has organic cupuacu seed butter and essential oils to control sebum production.

I also got to try the Evening Primrose Shampoo. Made for dry hair, this powerhouse shampoo is packed with 11 certified-organic plant oils and 7 proteins to hydrate and strengthen the hair shaft. It gives a nice lather and it even gave me a bit of volume. You can feel it actually cleaning your hair but it doesn't strip off the scalp's natural oils. I didn't need to use a lot of product, which is great since I have thick hair. This is also safe for color-treated hair.

Buy directly from www.johnmasters.com and you'll get free ground shipping.

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

NY Fashion Week Beauty: Sophie Theallet

Sophie Theallet's ultra romantic Spring/Summer 2011 RTW line had a strong emphasis in old-world Mexican glamour and NARS was backstage to support the stunning looks. Smoky eyes and glossy red lips created the makeup theme for the entire show.

“We wanted to fuse together both color and light. We were inspired by Chavela Vargas, the Mexican singer,” said NARS Lead Artist Lena Koro. “Polished and bright - and coinciding with the prints of the clothing.”

To re-create the same runway look at home:

Face
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer
Deep Throat Blush

Eyes
Calanque Trio Eyeshadow (New for Spring 2011 - for now try Edie Eyeshadow)
Cordura Duo Eyeshadow
Tzarine Duo Eyeshadow
Okinawa Trio Eyeshadow (The black side, new for Holiday 2010. For now try Black Moon Eyeliner Pencil)
Larger Than Life Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

Lips
Vesuvio Pure Matte Lipstick (exclusively at Saks)
Triple X Lip Gloss

Here are a few of my fave looks from the show...very sexy and beautiful, no? What beautiful colors and fabrics. Love the lace!

Image Credit: Imaxtree via NYMag.com

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479 Popcorn Black Truffle PIY Kit

Here's another reason for truffle lovers to rejoice - 479 Popcorn just introduced another way to enjoy this luxurious fungus. Their new Black Truffle P.I.Y. Kit is the latest offering from the SF-based organic popcorn maker. It's such a fab entertaining and gift idea and I love the pre-cut paper cones that come in the package (so handy!). This kit will transform your quiet Netflix movie plans into an extravagant film night.

It's easy to get your gourmet groove on - the kit includes a generous 32 oz. container of heirloom organic popcorn (Shaman Blue, Yellow Topaz, Dakota Black, and White Diamond varieties), a can of La Tourangelle Black Truffle Oil, 2 generous packets of black truffle salt (Mediterranean sea salt blended with shaved Italian black truffles) and ten paper cones. Recipe cards and instructions are also included. I highly recommend getting a hand crank stainless steel popper to make the popcorn. It makes a huge difference in taste and you won't get so many old maids.

The truffle oil added such a fragrant and rich taste. This is one decadent popcorn recipe. The truffle salt is also quite concentrated - I only used a teensy bit to accent the heady and earthy flavors. The truffle aroma also lingered seductively in our kitchen long after we've inhaled the whole batch. This is so much better than using regular butter and salt! Oh 479 Popcorn, you've turned me into a total snack addict.

The Black Truffle P.I.Y. Kit goes on sale today exclusively online at www.479popcorn.com.

For editorial consideration, a product sample was provided for this review.

Fiel Shoes Fall 2010 & Spring 2011 Preview

I've been gushing about Fiel shoes ever since designer Alice Gu first launched those sexy Palawan sandals last year. This Fall, she has some bold colors to throw a fun splash of style onto our wardrobes. These yellow Devon peep-toe leather heels will make a nice fashion statement, don't you think?

Ballet flats are still so insanely popular - the Suyan in red/black gradient patent leather is a lovely addition to what we've been seeing in the boutiques.

I don't wear yellow much but this Hayling flat with the diagonal square-patterned elastic strip is calling my name. This color is more wearable than you think.

I chatted with Alice recently and she kindly shared her Spring 2011 preview. Aren't these Carmen stacked heels lovely? I break out in a big smile each time I see this image. I'd be so skipping to work if I got to wear these heels. I wonder if they're comfy enough or if the fabric is durable for a bus commute.

The fabric is available in both pink and purple stripes. I can't decide which one is cuter. You can also get a modified version of this shoe as a Suyan ballet flat.

Who could resist these adorable Arcas ballerina sandals? I have a bad habit of buying things I love in different colors. These two red-orange and blue shades are just gorgeous. They're something that Audrey Hepburn might wear.

I might break down and get a pair of Fiels soon. Fall designs will be available in October on Endless.com and Spring 2011 shoes should be available sometime next February or March.

To buy: www.fielshoes.com and Endless.com.

My Sweet Mexico

I've never seen such a beautiful cookbook about Mexican desserts before, but pastry chef Fany Gerson's My Sweet Mexico takes the prize. The colorful drool-inducing photography also made me wanna hop on the next flight to Mexico, that's for sure. There's such a rich history behind these desserts and I learned a lot from Gerson's research.

Mexican sweets are so much more than churros and hot chocolate (although those are yummy too). Gerson's extensive book covers every type of dessert - you'll see fun recipes for Atole de Zarzamoras (Blackberry Corn Beverage), Cheesecake with Tamarind Sauce, Limones Rellenos de Coco (Coconut-Stuffed Limes), and Paletas de Mango Enchilado (Spicy Mango Ice Pops).

Aren't these bars of jamoncillo de leche pretty? Try the recipe below and let me know what you think. You can also make different flavors by substituting in coffee extract, tequila, lime juice or coconut milk. Experiment and enjoy!

Jamoncillo de Leche - Milk Fudge

2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 (12-ounce) can evaporated goat’s or cow’s milk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Jamncillo de Leche (Milk Fudge). Credit: Ed Anderson.
Lightly grease a 9 by 9-inch square pan. Line the pan with a piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving about a 1-inch overhang on all sides.

Combine the condensed milk, evaporated milk, butter, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, until the mixture has thickened and starts pulling away from the sides of the pan, 20 to 30 minutes. When ready, it will slide easily out of the pan when tilted.

Pour into the prepared pan and allow to set, about 2 hours. Cut into rectangles or desired shapes.

Makes about 2 dozen.

Reprinted with permission from My Sweet Mexico: Recipes for Authentic Pastries, Breads, Candies, Beverages, and Frozen Treats by Fany Gerson, copyright © 2010. Published by Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc. Photo credit: Ed Anderson © 2010

Available at Amazon.com, Borders.com or TenSpeed.com.

For editorial consideration, a review book copy was provided for this review.