Good-bye, and thank you!

Well, dear readers, it's certainly no surprise to you that I've been taking some time off from this blog lately. And after careful consideration, I've decided to suspend my beauty coverage here indefinitely. Between taking care of my almost-five-month-old daughter, juggling magazine assignments, and working on a book, suffice it to say I'm swamped. I've really appreciated your loyalty over the past two years, and I hope that you'll continue to read my work in upcoming glossies (Women's Health, Prevention, and Vanity Fair on the way!). Of course, I'll always be a beauty junkie, and you can also follow me on Twitter for news on my favorite products. And, if you're still craving in-depth industry news, I'd love to refer you to my brilliant friend Celia, who heads up Style.com's beauty column. Bookmark this link for smart, funny, and of-the-minute info on all things beauty. Stay pretty! xxR

Greige Gardens

The normally colorful Marc Jacobs was inspired by a far more neutral palette while designing his fall collection, which was revealed last night at the Lexington Avenue Armory; Subtle, ladylike dresses and suits featuring longer hemlines and classic tweeds and boucle, floated down the cardboard box-covered runway. To complement the understated tones of grey and beige, Jacobs tapped CND manicurists Roxanne Valinoti and Elisa Ferri to create five shades of polish—ranging from a rich, mousy gray to a soft, lavender-tinged cream. Here's the recipe to my favorite concoction (at left), but if you don't fancy yourself a mix master, you can alwaysbuy ready-made "greiges" like Essie best-sellers in Mink Muff and Chin-Chilly.

CND's "Look 1" Formula:
3\4 bottle of Chocolate Milk
1\8 bottle of Blackjack
1\8 bottle of Brilliant White
3 drops of Green scene
4 drops of Asphalt
5 drops of Bicycle Yellow

Jewel Thief

Oscar contenders will doubtless be turning to Bulgari for the perfect red carpet accessory this year—and we're not just talking baubles; The Italian jeweler's new Merveilleuse skincare line (at right) promises an ultra-hydrated, firm, diamond-radiant complexion. Infused with a patent-pending complex of omega oils, natural butters, and distilled precious stones (sapphire, tourmaline, malachite, and citrine), the complete collection—a serum, face balm, and eye cream—work quickly to restore elasticity. In-house studies found that after 11 days of twice-daily application, users produced 30% more ceramide (lipids that help form a hydration barrier) cells—equivalent to the amount created in skin three decades younger. Stop by the beauty level at Bergdorf Goodman to try a facial incorporating the products yourself.

Foreign Exchange

My bathroom seems to be heavily populated by imported items of late—many of them from Australia. Considering that the natives there know a thing or two about beauty (see Naomi Watts, Gemma Ward, and Cate Blanchett), I've decided to devote this post to my favorite acquisitions from the land down under.

1. Bloom Cosmetics' silky eye shadows (above left) glide effortlessly onto lids without creasing, thanks to natural ingredients that include essential oils and botanicals. New, spring shades—Antique Gold, Platinum, and Pistachio—intensify brown, blue, and hazel eyes, respectively. Plus, I adore the quirky, playful packaging (think the Aussie version Benefit).

2. I've had the pleasure of interviewing Poppy King, creator of Lipstick Queen, on several occasions over the years, and her innovative lip products are as witty and vibrant as she. Oxymoron gloss, for example, offers those with clumsier fingers a foolproof way to get rich, matte lips—and a tiny dab on cheeks gives them a beautiful, creamy flush.

3. Speaking of having a sense of humor, makeup artist Napoleon Perdis always seems to have fun with his eponymous collection. My recent addiction is his Peep Show Madame Beyond mascara, which lengthens and volumizes fringe to give them sweeping, velvet curtain-like effects.

4. Remember those 90s infomercials for Nad's wax? The company, which literally began out of founder Sue Ismiel's kitchen, has certainly evolved over the years. My pick? The Large Body Wax Strips. They're neat, double-sided, ready-to-use, and quickly smooth legs—with results lasting up to four weeks.

5. Need a break from the "Ballet Slippers" and "Mademoiselles "of the nail polish world? Try Miss Frou Frou, an indie range that offers punchy, on-trend hues like tropicana orange and pea green—perfect for a summer pedicure.

Neighborhood Pilates

"To be honest, I opened the space because of its location," says Jan Phillips, a Brooklyn mother and owner of Henry Street Pilates in Cobble Hill. "It's right near my house!" The former ballerina, who logged in 700 hours of training with Romana Kryzanowska (Joseph Pilates' successor) before receiving her certification, transformed a vacated laundromat into a veritable Pilates paradise, complete with seven Towers, last summer in record time (just six weeks), and since September, has drawn a steady stream of in-the-know neighborhood clients. "I've had to hire two new instructors already, we've been so busy," she says. Her focus on classical Pilates, as its creator intended, involves a series of short exercises on an elevated mat connected to springs, bars, and handles that "allow you to move the body in any number of directions...up and down, in and out, back to front, side to side," says Phillips. "Think of a trapeze act without the Spandex and altitude." And, thanks to small, intimate classes, plus several sessions throughout the day, patrons receive plenty of individual attention for a fraction of the cost of private lessons. Advanced reservations are required, and can be purchased at www.henrystreetpilates.com.

Henry Street Pilates, 385 Henry Street (at Verandah Place), Brooklyn, NY.

Sick...and working

Dear Readers,

Apologies for the lack of posts lately! I've been nursing a cold, and a baby, along with working on an upcoming Women's Health story. Please check back in next week for more beauty news here, but in the meantime, you can follow me on Twitter. Thanks! xxx

Cult Fragrance Watch

When both L'Oréal and Parisian concept store Colette acquire a new fragrance, the entire beauty world sits up and takes notice. This month, Martin Margiela, the elusive Belgian designer whose fashion chops include stints with Jean Paul Gaultier and Hermès, reveals his first scent—with some very strong backing. In keeping with Margiela's discreet, blank canvas ethos, the unisex juice—called, simply, "Untitled" (with not a hint of irony)—is a crisp, clean, green, infused with notes of exotic ferns and incense. Co-created by perfumer Daniela Andrier (la nez behind such olfactory blockbusters as Gucci by Gucci and Opium), it took two years to perfect, and according to the company, "can be worn by anyone, anywhere." Though we have a suspicious feeling this haute eau will be appearing on fashion insiders exclusivement, for the time being.