As I look out the window on this frozen morning, the snow reminds me of how pale my typically olive complexion has become.  I think of spring’s promise lurking somewhere under the snow, of all the delicate blossoms yet to bloom, and how their subtle colors are the perfect transition from winter .

Not many colors say spring like pink, and this year’s crop of spring makeup collections run the gamut with offerings for every skin tone as well as taste.

From a pale peachy blush for cheeks, to a bright peony lip, spring’s fresh makeup bouquet  will warm our pale complexions and make us believe that some day soon the snow will melt!

NARS Edge of Pink Spring 2014 collection available exclusively at Nordstroms is all about pink.  From pinky pink to peachy pink blushes, chubby lip pencils, and a beautiful lavender pink skin illuminator; - perfect to help transition pale winter skin to the lovely shades of spring.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

• Love – tea rose blush, this is one of those colors that could work on many skin tones from light to medium.
  
• Descanso – tea rose lip pencil, sure to be a favorite because of its wearability.
  
• Villa Lante – cherry blossom pink lip pencil, beautiful on lighter skin tones. 
  
• Adelaide – shimmering lavender pink illuminator to give skin a fresh glow.
  

MAC  a fantasy of flowers,  launches January 30
As usual with MAC. this collection encompasses a wide array of colors as well as textures.
I am loving the lip stick range.
Six Lipsticks all in MAC’s Lustre finish:

• Fleur d’Coral - pale creamy peach 
  
• Naked Bud- neutral sheer nude
  
• Dreaming Dahlia - sheer reddish-coral
  
• Rose Lily - sheer pastel pink 
  
• Snapdragon - mid-tone blueish pink 
  
• Heavenly Hybrid - mid-tone berry
  

And Nail polishes:

• Girl trouble – my favorite! Super glittery lilac
  
• Pep pep pep –peach nude
  
• Saint Germain – light cool pink
  
• SOIRÉE – sparkly light bronze gold
  

Bobbi Brown Uber Pink Collection.
Nail polish in Pink Peony - A bright blue pink caught my eye, it’s the perfect amount of bright.
Illuminating bronzer – creates a seamlessly glowing finish all over the face

• Antigua "Be Pretty" - a light pink bronze.
  
• Pink Peony "Be Bold" - a rosy pink.
  

Lips:
Neon Pink - a pink fuchsia that is the perfect intensity for those that like a little more color.

GUERLAIN – Météorites, although these are not a new spring products, I love these beautiful meterorites these legendary magic pearls illuminate your skin with a  fresh beautiful radiance that’s perfect for Spring.

MAKE UP FOR EVER:   Rouge Artist Lip Palette #1 warm pink.  This pallet offers a great range of color.   All very wearable and perfect to take you from winter to spring and beyond.  MAKE UP FOR EVER is one of my favorite all time brands.

Even if the flowers are not ready to bloom any time soon, choose a couple of these shades and to create your own beauty bouquet.

I’ve had it. If one more of my nails crack…I might too! I’ve been so focused on following my tips to survive winter, with my skin intact (not turning the shower to scalding has taken a lot of concentration), I think I have forgotten about my nails. Nails suffer as greatly from lack of moisture, maybe even more than the skin. Although I keep my nails pretty short, I have been having a really hard time keeping them from cracking and peeling. What’s a girl to do?

Believe it or not, the answer is easier than you might think. As I was complaining about my nails, my friend Annie not only commiserated, but also shared a discovery she’s made. She picked up a bottle of Sally Hansen Grow Nails Now! And as the name implies, it does help short, brittle, winter damaged nails grow.

It’s not a polish—it feels more like a light oil. You apply it to the nails and then massage into the nails as well as the cuticles. The product dries quickly and immediately makes the nails looked healthier—and my cuticles less parched!

Could this be the fountain of youth for nails?  The package promises longer, stronger nails in 5-7 days. If this product lives up to it’s promise, I might be buying stock in the company.

I’ll post daily updates on Twitter to document progress.

Last week I wrote about winter beauty and quick fixes. My friend Ali Kaplan from  Shop Girls on My Talk 107.1FM asked me to be on her radio show to discuss  winter beauty. During the show I fielded several questions; therefore I thought I’d follow up this week with some additional tips to not just survive during the rest of our winter months, but thrive!

Winter is a moisture thief.
If you don’t own a humidifier, you should.  At the very least, put a large soup pot filled with water on or near your radiator to help add a little moisture to the air in your bedroom while you sleep.  Crazy as it may sound, I travel with a small humidifier (purchased at Walgreens) it actually helps me sleep better.

Keep shower/bath time and temperature minimal.
Even though a scalding hot bath or shower seems like to best thing to do after braving the elements, too much time and heat in the bath strips your skin of natural oils and makes it feel dryer in the long run.  Keep bath time short (15 minutes) and keep the water warm instead of hot.  Consider just washing what needs to be washed, and use a moisturizing soap like Dove and a puff (uses less soap) to lather up.

Patty cake
Pat, rather than rub dry and apply natural oils on the skin while it’s still damp for maximum moisturizing. After the oil has been absorbed you can even follow with a moisturizing cream.  If you haven’t already, switch from a lotion(which are lighter and better in the summer) to a cream moisturizer.

If the Glove fits
The best thing you can do for your hands is keep exposure to a minimum.  For goodness sakes keep those gloves on, and moisturize every time you wash you hands.

Make up with winter
Not only does winter rob your skin of moisture, I feel like it robs skin of color as well.  Skin looks more sallow and under eye circles are more noticeable.  Don’t despair, break out the concealer.  Find a color that matches your skin tone (or is a tiny bit brighter) and banish imperfections.  From under eye circles, to redness around the nose, to pimples, a great concealer can make them all disappear without making you look like you’re wearing a mask.

Brighten up
Now is the time to be brave and try a little more color.  Bright sheer cheek and lip colors can liven up your face and even make you look more invigorated than you feel.  If you are blonde choose warm colors in the apricot & peach family, brunettes can wear peony and pink.

Keep lips luscious
Apply a moisturizing balm and no matter what, don’t lick your lips!  Saliva evaporates quickly leaving you lips more parched.

Don’t let static get the best of you
When you’re a kid there is something really fun about rubbing your feet on the carpet and zapping your friend, or rubbing a balloon on your head until your hair stands on end.  As an adult, static electricity has become my enemy, especially since I have fine hair.  Here is what I do to get through without my hair standing on end.
-Hair masques are wonderful and my favorites are from Kerastase.  Chose a masque created for your hair type and treat your self at least once a week.
-Check out dry shampoo’s sister product Dry Conditioning Sprays from Oribe and Oscar Blandi. These innovative new products add shine, protection, and body to dry hair and even help with static.
-Static driving you so crazy you don’t want to leave the house?  Take a look around, you can even work with what you have.  Spray a bit of static guard on your brush to help tame your tresses and even rubbing your hair with a dryer sheet will help.

Keep the faith, after all the first day of Spring is March 20. That’s only 64 days away!  

The holidays are over and winter has hit, and it’s hit hard. At below zero temperatures, I do not want to get out of bed until the last minute—even if it means sacrificing a bit of primp time. But that doesn’t mean I want to sacrifice looking good in the morning. So for all of you who are feeling my pain, here’s a couple of helpful hints to getting out the door and into the frozen tundra looking great even after hitting the snooze button!


Drink water
Drink a glass of water before bed. Drinking water before bedtime helps replenish moisture loss during the day (as well as from the drying effects of winter heating). You’ll look and feel better when you get up and may even have a more restful sleep.

Pony up
The humble ponytail with a little volume at the crown is quick and chic. See “my pretty pony” post for how to. Add a cute pair of earmuffs!

Fake great skin
L’oreal True Match Crayon Concealer is a chubby pencil that instantly hides any imperfections. It’s easy enough to use in the car (just make sure the gear shift is in the park position!)—$8

Get the Glow
Winter’s dark days leave me a little paler than I like. Personally, I like being a little cheeky. NYX stick blush is easy to apply and comes in eight great shades (something for every skin tone)—$6

Focus on one feature and make it count!
When time is of the essence, go for maximum impact—minimum time expended. Are lips your best feature? Then try Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick—$8. My two favorite shades are: Trendsetter, a deep wine and Backstage, a cherry red (it perfectly matches my earmuffs!).

Eye appeal
Do you talk with your eyes? If so, try Sonia Kashuk Twist Up Longwear Liner—$8. Apply at lash-line, smudge, and you're done. Finish with my favorite, Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Washable Mascara--$7. With a brush for the top lashes and one for the lower, you cant go wrong. Best part—it washes off easily so you don’t look like a raccoon the next morning!

Get out the door quick and face the frost looking great.