NARS Pro Palettes

NARS devotees everywhere are rejoicing with the arrival of the Pro Palettes. Available in two sizes, you can customize your entire makeup collection with 64 popular shades of blush, highlighting blush, contour blush, eyeshadow (single and duo), pressed powder and bronzing powder.

The small palette is perfect for travel and can fit about 10 product shades; the large one can fill up to 18, less if you get lots of blush or bronzer. I got to build my own custom palette, which you can see below. I filled mine with neutral and wearable shades that I can use for any occasion. I can't wait to bring this along on my trips! 

Can't decide on which colors to get? You can also get the curated Artist Palettes. I'm swooning over the Cheek Palette ($203) from NARS International Makeup Artist Uzo. I was lucky enough to meet her in San Francisco many years ago and I LOVE her amazing energy and talent. 

Uzo's Cheek Palette ($203).

The Pro Palettes are available for $14-$18. Color refills are $18-$30. To purchase: www.narscosmetics.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

REBBL Herbal Elixirs

I've been on a hunt for dairy-free drinks and REBBL Super Herb Elixirs are the perfect pick-me-up. Containing potent levels of adaptogenic herbs, each coconut milk-based beverage is designed to energize and nourish the body without the bad stuff. They're also relatively low in calories, which makes this a no-brainer. 

Being a chocoholic, Maca Mocha and Reishi Chocolate are the obvious favorites. It's like drinking organic chocolate milk! The creamy coconut milk retains the rich mouthfeel of milk, but you won't taste any coconut flavor. They give me enough energy to power through the day without the coffee jitters. I also enjoyed the Ashwagandha Chai but I detected a bitter aftertaste.

REBBL just launched three new elixir flavors: Matcha Latte, Maca Cold-Brew and Turmeric Golden-Milk. The Matcha Latte is not too sweet and has a mild tea flavor; the texture isn't as decadent as Maca Mocha or Reishi Chocolate but it's still lovely. The Maca Cold-Brew coffee is a great option if you're going dairy-free with your caffeine fix. Alas, the gingery Turmeric Golden-Milk has great potential but the bottle I got had an unusually gummy texture. 

Available for $3.99 at Whole Foods, PCC and Central Co-op. For more info: www.rebbltonic.com

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Eminence VitaSkin Exfoliating Peels

Exfoliation fiends, you're in luck. Eminence just launched a line of VitaSkin Exfoliating Peels for at-home use. Each results-oriented kit comes with a packet of cotton pads and a specific formula to address all skin conditions (mature, pigmentation, acne, and sensitive).

I got to try the Calm Skin Chamomile Exfoliating Peel, which is really soothing for my over-exposed skin. Just pump the solution twice with a cotton pad, then gently swipe it all over. No need to rinse! I didn't get any tingling or redness so this will be my go-to peel. I often get lazy about traditional exfoliating products so the no-rinse formula is really convenient. 

The Bright Skin Licorice Root Exfoliating Peel is excellent. I do get a bit of redness from using this one but my skin feels soooo smooth and soft. Like the Calm formula, it contains lactic and mandelic acids to promote cellular turnover while licorice root, daisy blossom, and their Natural Hydroquinone Alternative (tara tree and African potato) help brighten the complexion. I would probably use this once a week but normal skin can use it 2-3 times per week. Since these peels contain AHAs, definitely use sunscreen and try to limit sun exposure! 

Each kit retails for $79. For product availability: eminenceorganics.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Mascara & Universalist Multi-Sticks

After months of hearing about the buzz on W3LL PEOPLE I finally got to try their famous Expressionist Bio-Extreme Mascara ($23.50). Free of petroleum, parabens, coal tar and aluminum, this gentle mascara could be a game changer if you're looking for something with less chemicals. 

I saw great volume and length for a natural day look. Three coats seem to be the max to avoid clumping. The wand can smear the eyelid if you're not careful (I have short Asian lashes) but you can clean it off easily if you act quickly. It stayed on for over 12 hrs with minimal flaking and smudging, which is way awesome. It also removes easily with cleansing oil and can hold a curl quite well. In essence, this is the best result I've had so far from testing natural mascaras. 

Universalist Multi-Stickin 1 Creamy Pink, luminous finish.

I also tried a few shades of the Universalist Multi-Sticks ($34.50). Shade 7 (Creamy Peony, matte finish) is a highly pigmented warm pink so I'd use it sparingly on the cheeks. I also like to mix it with the flattering number 8 (Dusty Rose, matte) for a custom lip color. Universalist 1 (Creamy Pink, luminous finish) seemed a tad easier to blend out and has a luminous, more sheer texture.

Universalist in 8 Dusty Rose.

These color sticks are non-drying on the lips and you only need 1-2 swipes on the cheeks for a natural flush. It seriously STAYS PUT for 10-12 hrs. My skin is on the dry side so the fade factor is also quite low. Overall, these products are an impressive alternative within the green beauty market.

Available at w3llpeople.com. San Francisco makeup lovers can also find W3LL PEOPLE at Credo Beauty. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

True Nature Botanicals Shampoo & Conditioner

True Botanicals is starting early fall with their much-welcomed foray into the eco-luxe hair care world. The Nourishing Shampoo ($34; 8oz) contains an unusually high concentration of mild coconut surfactants, which means you get an instantaneous lather. This in itself is already an exceptional trait as many natural shampoos don't foam up enough and you end up with a not-so-clean feeling. Worse still, you might even end up with a yucky coarse texture that requires a lot of conditioner. 

This awesome shampoo is strengthened with green tea oil, meadowfoam seed oil and organic aloe leaf powder to soothe, protect and balance the scalp. It's so moisturizing that I can get away without conditioner if I'm feeling lazy. Free of SLS and synthetic fragrances, it's perfect for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Needless to say, I'm in love. 

Devoid of silicone and mineral oil, the Nourishing Conditioner ($34; 8 oz) has a naturally rich texture. The addition of shea butter, coconut oil, macadamia seed and green tea oil result in an extremely nourishing formula. Even with my long thick hair, I'd use only 1-2 light pumps max. My hair ends up feeling luxuriously silky, not weighed down. As with the shampoo, the fresh citrus floral scent reminds me of their beautiful perfume solids. If you're picky about hair care as I am, you should seriously consider checking these new products out!

Available at truebotanicals.com. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Clarins Mission Perfection Serum

I always get excited whenever Clarins launches new skincare and the Mission Perfection Serum ($72; 1 fl oz) is going to be an instant hit with beauty mavens. As my friend Natalie at Coquette says, it always seems to work.

The formula features acerola extract (from wild cherries), which is becoming a more popular beauty ingredient. Other supporting ingredients include hexylresorcinol, ginkgo biloba and tamarind fruit (AHA). The serum aims to correct dark spots, shadows and discoloration without affecting your natural skin tone. Suitable for all ages and skin types, you don't have to worry about your skin bleaching out in a strange way, which is a lot safer than using other controversial ingredients in the market (hello, hydroquinone). 

I've used this for over three weeks (day and night) and I can attest to its efficacy. My acne scars and sun spots seem to have faded and there's an overall glowy look. According to the brand's satisfaction test, 266 multi-ethnic women reported a 72% reduction in dark spot size and quantity after 4 weeks of usage. 

Available exclusively at Nordstrom and www.clarinsusa.com. Available at all Clarins counters starting October 1. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.