What a sweet gift! This pretty package arrived a few weeks ago from the lovely ladies at Kiehl’s Nordstrom MOA and duh, I love pretty packages. (Almost as much as I love Instagram. SORRY. Instagram makes my life look so nice!) 

I am a big Kiehl’s girl. The $7 lip balm in those cute little squeeze tubes? Love them, and I finally broke my mama of her Blistex habit (bad!) with them. I lost two tubs of the Olive Fruit Oil conditioner to my mother and baby brother and I like to give the aforementioned product stealers the Imperial Body Balm (mama) and Ultimate Man bar (bro) as gifts. 

I have long been interested in the idea of eye cream and I’ve definitely dabbled, but I haven’t really decided if I need one. I guess being 24, I probably do, so right now I’m using the legendary Creamy Eye Treatment (when I remember, anyway.) It’s made with avocado and looks so lovely and pea green and feels deliciously creamy.

What I’m REALLY loving, which comes as a complete surprise to my picky ass, is the Amino Acid shampoo and conditioner. We all know the sob story that comes from being post-platinum. My hair is kind of a mess right now, but it’s trying. The Amino Acid duo, which are full of my beauty love coconut oil, actually make it feel soft. For me with my coarse horse hair, that is absolutely HUGE. I’m buying these in full-size.

I love face sprays. I think I own five - they’re especially great in the summer when it’s hot as balls and you need a pick-me-up/your makeup is globbing all over your sweaty face. The Acai Damage-Protecting Toning Mist promises to protect against free radicals and all the bad things floating away in the air just waiting to get all up in your pores … I just really like to spritz it all over. I’m a child.

Maritza and I talk makeup/skincare/beauty a lot; our phones are always cheeping with texts about Chanel and mascara. She works in the industry and I, well, I keep the industry afloat. She asked if I’d been compiling my fall beauty wishlist and I said, “Duh, I’ve already bought it all!” Here’s hers!

1). Chanel Peridot le Vernis.  I first saw this nail color a few months ago and immediately fell in love.  It’s such an unexpected green-gold and when the metallic hits the light, it’s truly spectacular.  I never thought I could love a nail color as much as I love peridot.  For this fall, it’s the new black.

2). YSL The Black Collection eyeliner pen.  A perfect pen for a precise cat eye or a dramatic smoky eye.

3). Laura Mercier creme lip color in Bing Cherry: Brick red is the THE color of the Fall 2011 runway.  I love this particular formula, because there is no shimmer, just shine.  With flattering pink-and-brown undertones, it will look great on every woman.

For night: YSL Rouge Volupte Perle No. 106  (purple) 

4). Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Foundation Primer.  Nobody does primer like Smashbox.  I’m substituting my classic Photo Finish for the new hydrating version during fall/winter months.  After just one use, my face felt smooth and moisturized without feeling heavy underneath my foundation.  Hands down, this is one of the best products of the season.    

5).  NARS Illuminator in Copacabana.  Because of the deep lipsticks, shadows and nail polishes I will be sporting, I want to keep my face as illuminated and light as possible.  I plan on using this highlighter as a very light and natural blush.

6). Malin + Goetz lip moisturizer. I was on a mission to find the most effective lip treatment after a recent bout of extreme dry lips!  After a dozen or so failed attempts, I turned to beauty expert Kara Nesvig and she had the answer in Malin + Goetz.  Voila! My lips are supple and smooth and I’m never leaving home without this!   

7). Cleanser 27 by M.E. SkinLab.  Cleanser 27 is an oil-rich wax with the texture of a skin butter (scary, right?!) that transforms into a foamy emulsion when it comes into contact with water.  It promises to soften, moisturize and brighten the skin, without stripping it of natural and very essential oils.  When I first read about this, I was skeptical it would be right for me, but after reading endorsements by colete (http://www.colette.fr/) and Woodley & Bunny (http://woodleyandbunny.com/), I am dying to try this cleanser during the harsh, dry Minnesota winter.   

8). Philosophy the microdelivery: mini peel pads.  Simply the best at-home way to exfoliate your dry skin and rid your face of dullness.  I like these because they are gentle and also work well on the neck and arms. 

9). Kiehl’s Rosewater Facial Freshener-Toner:  No matter the season, rosewater is a must in my skincare routine.  It soothes and calms the skin, while providing aroma therapeutic benefits.  Kiehl’s puts actual rose petals in the bottle, which provides an aesthetic appeal.  Tip: I like to chill rosewater in the fridge and spritz it on my face in the morning for instant perkiness! 

Spa trip:
10).  Spa getaway: I’m headed to Ruby Room in Chicago (http://www.rubyroom.com/) for an ultra-indulgent birthday present to myself.  I plan on getting an Arcona facial (my first ever!), an enerssage with cupping and the pumpkin hand and foot treatment.