Several big-name skincare companies have introduced products designed to both treat skin — by sapping sebum and oils and/or infusing skin with anti-aging chemicals – while also performing the double duty of makeup without actually containing makeup. Pore minimizers – whether in moisturizer, serum or scrub form – are huge right now and Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner is leading the pack with an “I can’t believe it isn’t foundation” version of the super mattifying lotion. Although nothing can actually minimize pores – they have a mind of their own – Dr. Brandt’s version contains an optical diffuser that gives your skin a polished, powder-fresh look and flaxseed, designed to absorb oil. True, this is a slightly... [Read more]

When I was a kid, Kaepas sneakers were the mood rings of footwear — the hottest in cheerleader wannabe fashion. Their business model was simple and effective. You inserted little colored triangles that snapped onto the sides of those fantastically bulky and bright white sneakers and — voila — you were all about red that day or, hell, if it was Christmas, red and green. Thankfully, designers have evolved since the 80s, but Lindsay Phillips has found a way to marry our universal craving for individual expression with bonafide beautiful shoes. Lindsay Phillips Her latest collection of Napa leather ballet flats comes in three hot fall colors — black, silver and bronze — and features more than 12 interchangeable snapable... [Read more]

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Cream is one of those rare treatment products I consider a pleasure to use. In addition to its lively but subtle citrus fragrance, it contains what feel like microscopic scrubbing botanicals, which won’t cause little tears in the skin the way inferior exfoliators can. Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliating Cream Its magical ingredients are pharmaceutical-grade crystals (no harsh walnut shells here), lactic acids and therapeutic botanicals, including grape seed and flower extracts. It also contains moisturizing Vitamin E, chamomile and retinyl palmitate, which promotes cellular growth. But the main reason this baby is such a gem is the size of its finely-milled crystals. You just need a wee bit, and... [Read more]

Between Drew Barrymore’s bubblegum-pink soufflé of a gown and Jennifer Love Hewitt’s California babe look – not to mention the endless parade of white, dusky rose and nude dresses – the Emmy Awards were the picture of sweet fashion innocence (save Blake Lively’s oh-so-lively plunging red dress). Perhaps because of this, the darkest of dark hues stood out far more, in my opinion. Taking a page out of fall’s goth-glam looks, these women were stunning in deep, dark and glam shades: “Mad Men’s” Christina Hendricks looked every inch the 1950s starlet in a blue-black L’wren Scott: Zuma Press Heidi Klum, seven months pregnant and gorgeous, in a strapless Marchesa: Zuma Press The front of Tina Fey’s Gucci dress... [Read more]

There’s something about Jeffrey Campbell’s shoes that just scream Los Angeles. Understand that I speak not of the electric-blue or party-pink spiked translucent-heel look that may come to mind. These are straight-up movie night at the Cinespia Cemetery shoes – a fabulous blend of over-the-top trendy and Hollywood gothic sleaze that are gorgeous enough to be totally, absolutely, mind-blowingly wearable. Although he has carved quite a name for himself with sexy over-the-knee boots and killer studded flat boots and chunky heels, I am beyond impressed that his more subdued collection – which include flats and ballet slippers – is just as quietly note-worthy, if not more. And I was thrilled to see that he did wonders with my latest fall... [Read more]