Beauty Maverick

Blackberry Obsessed

Rich, noir-esque shades of wine, black cherry and plum have taken over beauty counters this season— and for good reason. Such mischievous tones are the perfect compliment to the '40s and '80s- inspired fashions of fall.

Find your fix in one (or all) of these favorites:

CHANEL Rouge Allure Lipstick in Hysteria and Mania
Look-at-me lip color that's both rich and long-lasting. Limited edition.

GIORGIO ARMANI Lip Wax in Deep Chianti
For those who prefer a matte stain, Armani's unique formulation can't be beat.

LIPSTICK QUEEN Chinatown Glossy Pencil in Mystery
This gloss-in-a-stick provides the perfect wash of color. (Sheer.)

YSL Dessin du Regard Haute Tenue in Shimming Burgundy
A brilliant way to draw attention to your eyes. Use all-over, or in the corners of a smoky eye, for best results.

DIOR Liquid Eyeliner in Plum
Discreet and easy-to-apply, Dior's classic eyeliner is now available in a rich plum hue.

M.A.C Mineralize Eyeshadow in Young Punk
Whether you dust this sparkling shadow across your lids, or use wet as eyeliner, it's sure to get attention.

NARS Cream Eyeshadow in Swing
Try smudging this shimmering cream shadow (all the way) around your lash line for a sexy yet subtle look.

CHANEL Le Vernis in Vendetta and Diabolic
Two berry good reasons to invest in CHANEL's new Noirs Obscurs collection.

ILLAMASQUA Nail Varnish in Unnatural
A deep, blood-red hue that's both flattering and chip-resistant.

O.P.I Nail Polish in Give Me Moor!
A dark, black plum shade that screams "gothic glam." (In a good way, of course.)

Fall's Best Beauty Buys

From China's love of color to Russia's flare for the dramatic, opulent eastern influences are ever-apparent in the fall '09 collections.

So how does one translate these over-the-top trends from runway to real-life? With a selection of the season's top offerings, of course:

Flawless Complexion: La Mer The Radiant Concealer
Blends seamlessly to camouflage imperfections and correct tone. SPF 25.

Sculpted Features: YSL Palette Y
A limited edition blush and powder duo that can be used individually to highlight and contour, or together for all-over radiance.

Rosy Glow: Fresh FreshFace Blush Powder
This long-wear blush provides a natural, healthy-looking flush.

Look-At-Me Lip: CHANEL Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon
Strikingly rich, this liquid lip lacquer boasts intensity and shine that lasts for hours.

Barely-There Lip: MAC Lipstick in Myth
This pale, muted nude is the perfect compliment to a bold eye.

Bold Eye: NARS Essential Eye Palette
From cream to copper and midnight grey, these six shades are all you need.

Dramatic Lash: Shiseido Perfect Mascara
Achieve volume, length and luster with this latest innovation from Shiseido.

Defined Brow: Cle de Peau Eyebrow Pencil
A cartridge-type brow liner that smoothly draws beautiful, delicate eyebrow. Includes brow brush to smooth and tame brows.

Metallic Nail: Lancôme Le Vernis in Indigo Paris
Opt for short nails when wearing this stunning shade of blue.

Bump Busters

Refining body care products to keep in your arsenal this season:

Nude Smoothing Body Refiner
A detoxifying, clinically proven firming serum that moisturizes and smoothes skin. 

Fresh Sugar Acai Age-Delay Body Cream
Enriched with Açaí oil, this beautifully scented moisturizer provides antioxidant protection, helps to maintain elasticity,  and also enhances collagen production and naturally firms, lifts, and smoothes the skin's surface.

Clarins High Definition Body Lift
Redefines the body, minimizing the appearance of cellulite whilst  contouring the lower body and creating a more toned, fit silhouette.

Avon Anew Clinical Professional Stretch Mark Smoother
Visibly reduces those not-so-hot scars on the body with patented Trilaser technology to stimulate collagen, boost elastin, and help lighten & fade existing stretch marks whilst preventing against new ones, as well.

Figuring out how to get my makeup to stay in place and still look good despite heat, sunscreen, chlorine, and ocean waves has been a decade of trial and error. At long last (thankfully!), I’ve cracked effortless beach beauty. Here’s what you’ll need besides a serious dose of SPF— take it from the ultimate water baby.

Tinted self-tanner for face
Summers on the Mediterranean and in New York have taught me that it takes a whole lot of powder and primer for foundation and tinted moisturizer to even think about staying put. Tinted self-tanner gives a glow that increases over the day and provides just enough coverage. I like Lancome’s Flash Bronzer Medium Colour Oil-Free Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion for Face with Vitamin E every other day— I find I need this less and less the more sun-kissed I get.

Waterproof eyeliner
Even though I tend to hide behind sunglasses when the sun comes out (what else hides last night better?), no one wants panda eyes when they get to post-beach cocktails. Simple definition of the eyes with a smudge-proof eyeliner such as Shu Uemura’s new Painting Gel Liner, stays in place and can be intensified for sweltering midsummer evenings. Psst: those with blue and green eyes, go with an aubergine tone, it enhances the color.

If going without mascara is the same for you as leaving your cell phone at home is for me, a light coating of waterproof mascara should last the day— just don’t rub your eyes. Dior’s DiorShow and Lancome’s Defincils Waterproof will do the trick.

Cheek and lip tint
My Anglo-Saxon heritage has made it next to impossible for me not to mimic the rising thermostat with the color of my cheeks. Before I get to that point in the day, however, a warm tint to the apples of my cheeks not only helps define my face, it also gives a warm glow.  I’ve gotten most compliments when using Benefit’s Posietint (a soft pink version of their cult-classic Benetint) and Bobbi Brown’s Sheer Color Cheek Tint in Sheer Coral. Both of these work when dabbed on lips and covered with an SPF lip balm— sunburned lips are the worst. For a two-in-one prod’, my go-to is Kiehl’s Tinted Lip Balm SPF 15 in Golden Berry.

— Daisy

Orange Crush

Fresh, floral and sweet, orange blossom is an irresistible scent for spring. Find your  signature in one of these six luxurious formulations:

For those who enjoy...

Bright, citrusy scents: Le Labo Fleur D’Oranger 27
Orange blossom enhanced by a delicious blend of bergamot, petit grain, lemon, and musk.

Soft, feminine fragrances: L'Artisan Parfumeur Fleur d'Oranger 2007
Delicate and sweet, this harvest highlights the star note by including ingredients from the entire orange tree (neroli, orange essential oil, the seed, extract of the twig, the bud and the leaves).

Warmer, spicier scents: Santa Maria Novella Zagara
Though quite sharp at first, this fragrance develops into an enticing blend of bitter orange and sandalwood.

Fresh, floral fragrances: Prada Infusion de Fleur d'Oranger
A sparkling fusion of tuberose, jasmin, neroli, and serenolide (white musk).

Men's colognes: Miller Harris Cuir d'Oranger
This masculine blend boasts notes of leather and oak, balanced by a green, floral finish.

Flirtatiously sweet fragrances: Serge Lutens Fleur d'Oranger
The ultimate "come hither" scent for spring. Composed of white rose, Indian tuberose, and jasmin.

Acqua di Parma Colonia Bath & Shower Gel A rich, masculine shower gel that lathers beautifully. Korres Mastiha Oil and Aloe Bath & Shower Gel Subtly scented with olive oil, this creamy body wash leaves your skin feeling soft and supple. Claus Porto Favorito Red Poppy Body Wash Uplifting, effective, and packaged in a space efficient bottle. Bamford Organic Nourishing Chamomile Body Oil Used as bath oil, this calming blend of chamomile and geranium relieves the day's stresses and soothes tired muscles. Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish A nurturing body scrub that leaves your skin with a gorgeous glow. Molton Brown Supershave Olibanum This luxurious cream provides a close shave, and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin.

La Mer The Body Crème My favorite body product of the past few years, this cream is simply in a league of its own. Fresh Sugar Body Oil This lightweight body oil absorbs in an instant, leaving you with luminous, baby-soft skin. Campagnie de Provence Crème Pour Les Mains Extra Pure Figue Deliciously scented and conveniently packaged, this lovely little hand cream is a must for every handbag.

Institut Esthederm Biosvelt Instant Body Lift Gel Helps to tighten, smooth, and contour all of those not-so-perfect spots. Bliss The Tenderfoot With the ability to exfoliate and soften even the most tortured of soles, this duo is the ultimate treat for any feet. Lancôme Resurface Microdermabrasion An obsession of mine (as well as my mum), this gentle exfoliant buffs away dead, dull skin cells to reveal your most radiant self.

Decleor Perfect Sculpt Bust Beautifying Gel Lifts and tones to get your bust back in shape. NARS Mud Mask Detoxifying, purifying, and perfect to use prior to wearing a skin-bearing ensemble. Parissa Wax Strips Now available in an assortment of sizes and formulations, these easy-to-use strips are highly addictive.

Jo Malone Vitamin E Gel Use this concentrated gel anywhere/everywhere that requires extra care, from dry patches to (healing) scars. Dior Crème Abricot A rich cream that encourages nail growth, improves nail strength, conditions your cuticles, and is also an amazing lip balm and hair texturizer as well. This Works Turbo Balm Moisturize your hands/feet/lips, tame unruly brows, and even calm burns with this all-in-one superbalm.

Jo Malone Sweet Lime & Cedar This NEW Jo Malone fragrance balances zesty fruits with aromatic leaves, delicate flowers, spices and nutty woods. Le Labo Vetiver 46 Scents of smoky pepper, incense, and Haitian vetiver dominate this complex (and somewhat masculine) EdP. Annick Goutal Mandragore A vibrant fragrance that combines the freshness of bergamot, star of anise, peppermint, ginger, boxwood, and mandrake. Serge Lutens El Attarine This complex, slightly sweet creation by master perfumer Serge Lutens evokes a sense of mystery and excitement. Prada Infusion d'Iris A fresh, clean (and sheer) scent that highlights the precious Iris Pallida. Vivienne Westwood Boudoir Provocative and bold, this rich EdP should be worn in the evening for maximum effect.

Shiseido Pureness Refreshing Cleansing Sheets An ideal bedside companion to a late night out, these oil/alcohol-free sheets wipe away all traces of makeup and leave your skin feeling wonderfully fresh. Sisley Lyslait Cleansing Milk with White Lily I like to alternate between foaming and cream-based cleansers throughout the fall/winter season, and this one is simply extraordinary. Aesop Fabulous Face Cleanser Suitable for all skin types, this cleansing gel provides a deep clean without stripping the skin. M Lab Anti-Aging Eye Cream A super rich cream that helps to minimize dark under-eye circles, reduce fine lines, and calm puffiness. Tammy Fender Antioxidant Creme with Orange & Neroli Truly a ‘multi-vitamin-in-a-jar’, this holistic day cream helps to balance the skin, heal scar tissue, stimulate collagen, and naturally filter UV rays. La Prairie Cellular Resurfacing Cream This luxurious moisturizer (which I use as a night cream) helps to ‘shrink’ large pores, improve elasticity, fight against free radicals, and reduce fine lines.

Darphin 8 Flower Nectar A blend of eight essential oils that detoxify, reduce fine lines, and give your skin a natural glow. Use as needed. Clé de Peau Emulsion Tendre Falling somewhere between a toner and a lotion, this lightweight tonic removes impurities whilst also providing a veil of moisture. Chanel Sublimage Sérum Twice the concentration of the cream, this silky-smooth serum features a powerful (and precious), botanical fruit extract, to help visibly reduce the signs of aging. Nude Facial Scrub Ultra fine beads of rose quartz help this gentle scrub work its magic. Use weekly for optimal results. Philosophy Kiss Me Exfoliating Lip Scrub With the spotlight cast on bold lips this season, prime your pout with this sugar-based scrub. Tracie Martyn Enzyme Exfoliant A brilliant exfoliant that removes dead skin cells, helps to repair sun damage, minimizes large pores and fine lines, and prevents breakouts.

Sonya Dakar Drying Potion Dead Sea sulfur, along with extracts of chamomile, sage and peppermint, make this one of the most effective (and gentle) spot removers on the market. Peter Thomas Roth Lashes To Die For Eyelash Conditioning Treatment I’ve been using this overnight treatment on my lashes and brows, and it’s really quite impressive. My lashes are longer and softer, and my brows have been filling-in remarkably well. Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask Don’t let the airy texture of this masque fool you, it packs a potent combination of restorative lychee seed extract, softening sake, radiance-boosting black tea, and revitalizing jicama root.

La Mer The Radiant Facial To brighten, tighten, and restore radiance. Ideal for any skin type or age. Givenchy No Surgetics Plasti Sculpt Lifting Mask If you seek a firmer, more contoured complexion (fast), this luxurious treatment is a must. GoSMILE Smile Whitening System A couple minutes each day, for just a week, can remove those coffee/tea stains and other sins from your (soon-to-be) pearly whites.

RéVive Microdermabrasion Renewal System The first step (Microdermabrasion Renewal Crème) retexturizes your skin, whilst the second step (Gelée Calme) helps to soothe and nourish. Elemis Bright Eyes Recovery Gel If you use/abuse your computer, travel often, or study hard, pick-up a tube of this recovery gel- It's amazing. (Malin+Goetz) Detox Face Mask An oxygenating mask that purifies, clarifies, and balances, without stripping the skin.

Yves Saint Laurent Top Secrets Flash Radiance To camouflage, illuminate, and even skin tone; An ideal base for any look. Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 The perfect 'pick-me-up', this lightweight lotion blurs imperfections and provides a dewy glow. Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup Oil-Free SPF 15 An anti-aging, medium coverage foundation that conceals without being visible on the skin. M.A.C. Cosmetics Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer You could cover a tatoo with this heavy-duty formulation, yet it blends flawlessly to erase blemishes and dark under-eye circles in a flash. Kanebo Sensai Pressed Powder Lightweight and translucent, this innovative Pressed Powder manages to moisturize the skin whilst reducing excess surface oils. Jemma Kidd Makeup School Dewy Glow in Rose Gold A brilliant highlighter, this warmer shade of Dewy Glow provides a natural radiance sans sparkle or shine.

Prescriptives Fall Dimensions Eye Color Quad in Red/Blue Includes sheer rose, burnished gold, deep navy, and bittersweet chocolate eye shadows. Givenchy Prisme Again! Eyeshadow Quartet in Smoky Shimmer Complete with four shimmering shades: Aubergine, gunmental, black w/white, and rich midnight blue. Lancôme Oscillation Mascara This new mascara amplifies and lengthens every little lash with its vibrating wand and flake-proof formulation. Dior Diorshow Iconic Mascara Dior Mascaras are one of my all-time favorite beauty products, and this version takes lashes to a new extreme. Giorgio Armani Black Sparkling Mascara Use this product on the tip of your lashes (after you've already applied mascara), for an eye-catching look that's surprisingly discreet. Shu Uemura Premium False Eyelashes A look for the more fashion forward, pair any of these fine faux lashes (I adore the Velvet Feather in Black or Brown) with basic black eyeliner, contoured cheeks, and matte nude lips.

Giorgio Armani Lip Wax in #6 A staple for the season, this lip stain/balm can be worn sheer, or layered-on for a more dramatic effect. Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips and Cheeks in Chocolate Cherry Use this soft, cream-based color on your lips or cheeks for the perfect flush. Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry If matte lips aren't your thing, this cranberry-tinted gloss is a great way to stay on-trend.

Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge in Berry Noir A moisturizing, plum-toned lip color that visibly plumps and smooths your pout. M.A.C Lipstick in So Scarlett Long lasting and rich, M.A.C's classic formulation looks gorgeous in this dark cherry shade. Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur Black Layered over any red lip color, this black patent gloss adds depth and dimension (without looking goth).

Hourglass Landscape Color Link Palette Complete with a neutral blush and bronzer (which I use to contour), four eyeshadows, and two shadow/liners, this palette is perfect for the girl-on-the-go. Yves Saint Laurent Palette Collection A limited-edition set of rouge, powder, and highlighter, this glamorous compact is as functional as it is beautiful. NARS Lip Gloss/Lip Stain Duo in Sandpiper and Daredevil Use these two complimentary shades on their own or together, for multiple looks that can take you from day to night.

Essie Nail Polish in Lacy Not Racy Use this beautiful berry shade on its own, or layered under Wicked, for a rich burgundy that compliments the season's bold lip. Chanel Le Vernis in Kaleidoscope With flecks of both gold and silver, this metallic shade is the perfect finish to any fall look. Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Blue Poison It may have seemed like spring fling, but midnight blue has made its way into the fall collections as well. This version by Dior has a deep, glossy finish and is virtually chip-proof. Creative Nail Design Nail Enamel in Serenity 'Nude' nails are always in fashion, and can be one the easiest looks to maintain. CND's Serenity is universally flattering and provides sheer, even coverage. Yves Saint Laurent Nail Lacquer in Tuxedo Grey This liquid gunmetal strikes a perfect balance between the rocker chic and menswear-inspired looks of the season. Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish in Film Noir Striking and provocative, this blackcurrant polish adds a touch of vamp to any ensemble.

Where the Wild Things Are

To escape, reinvent, and excite.

DuWop Moon Venom Lip Plumper, $17; Chanel Joues Contrast Powder Blush in Narcisse, $42;  Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Mascara, $27;  Shu Uemura False Eyelashes in Slant Black, $20; M.A.C Nail Lacquer in Illegal Purple, $11; NARS Eyeshadow in Night Flight, $22; Fresh Twilight Freshface Glow, $36.

Beat the Heat

I'm a big fan of using beauty products to keep cool during the hot, humid summer months. A cold shower, a cooling scent, or refrigerated body products... They're all guilt-free ways to beat the heat (though a mojito has its perks, too.)

My favorite products to keep cool:

Korner Skincare Mystify Exotic Flower Dew
An uplifting mist for your hair/face/body that moisturizes and soothes. Keep it in the fridge for a refreshing midday pick-me-up.

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels
A ten-minute, de-puffing treatment that leaves your eye area looking brighter and more toned.

(Malin+Goetz) Peppermint Shampoo
A refreshing shampoo that awakens your senses. Suitable for all hair types, including color-treated.

DuWop Lip Venom 2nd Sin
Like the original, but twice as powerful. This minty-cool concoction plumps your lips without overheating.

Korres Yoghurt Cooling Gel
The perfect after-sun facial/body moisturizer. Try storing this gel-creme in your refrigerator to amplify the chill.