Island Escape

This weekend, my husband and I are lucky guests of a wedding taking place on Harbour Island in the Bahamas. I can’t wait to see its famous pink sand beaches, iridescent, palm-sized conch shells, and glimmering turquoise sea, and I’m packing my bags with equally picturesque products. Stay tuned for more next week! Xx

1. Nars The Multiple Stick in Orgasm is the creamy, portable version of my must-have blush. I’ll use some on cheeks and lips to mimic the light cast by a Caribbean sunset.
2. With five vibrant shades, YSL Trésor D’Afrique Collector 5 Colour Palette for the Eyes dresses up lids in a snap.
3. A few drops of powder bronzer mixed with drugstore basic Neutrogena Sesame Body Oil leaves limbs as shimmery and warm as the sand.
4. The coconut- and tiare flower- infused Tocca candle sweetens our hotel room and later transforms the NYC apartment into a tropical getaway.
5. Several tubes of La Roche-Posey Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk ensure my skin will be shielded from rays while getting antioxidant benefits.

Black Lite

In recent years, beauty companies have pushed glam goth with everything from black nail polish (Chanel) to black eye shadow (Nars) to black lipstick (Shu Uemura). But if wearing anything remotely related to the onyx family—other than, say, eyeliner— leaves you feeling like a Gene Simmons-groupie, Lipstick Queen has an attractive solution. Inspired by the sophisticated look of sheer Wolford stockings, founder Poppy King created the Black Tie Optional collection (above right). “I wanted something that sort of felt like lace fishnet tights on your lips,” she says. “The Shine gloss looks black cherry on your mouth and really brings out its natural pink hue.” Dab it on over your favorite nude lipstick for a smoky, black suede edge.

Face Time

Two of my famously poreless editor friends have been raving about Aida Bicaj for years, so when I was offered an opportunity to experience her complexion-boosting handiwork myself, I couldn’t refuse. Last Friday, I visited the New York City facialist’s Institute de Beauté spa, tucked away on a tree-lined corner of 75th and Park. The intimate space has only one treatment room, allowing for plenty of attention and—a real scarcity in Manhattan—genuine real quiet. As I zoned out to Bicaj’s selection of Bossa Nova tunes, she began my “Manual Lift,” which involved cleansing, intense stimulation (including a depuffing orbital massage), lactic acid exfoliation, and a super silky oxygen mask, with products by French skincare company Biologique Recherche (above right). While I waited for the ingredients to work their magic, Bicaj worked hers, giving me a peppermint-infused foot massage that made my tension disappear as quickly as my blackheads. Just in case, I packed a makeup bag with foundation and concealer to camoflauge the typical post-facial damage. As it turns out, I didn’t need to. I left the spa with honest-to-goodness clear skin, and a new addiction.

Golden Girls

With Memorial Day finally around the corner, it's time to go off the deep end—of the color spectrum, that is. I plan on getting bronze for an upcoming trip to the Bahamas with the help of these celebrity makeup artist tips I compiled for InStyle.com. Enjoy! xx

Complimentary Kérastase Treatment

Has your weekly blowout habit been kicked to the curb with the recession? Yeah, me too. Thankfully, May 20th is our lucky day. Next Wednesday, the good people at Kérastase Paris will offer clients a deep conditioning treatment followed by styling—completely FREE of charge (no purchase necessary). The Mark Garrison Salon (at left) will be hosting the event here in New York, where customers will receive VIP service, including a red carpet. To print your invite and view a list of 750 participating salons nationwide, click here.

Makeup Artist Pat McGrath at Saks!

If Pat McGrath's name doesn't immediately ring a bell, then the fruits of her labor certainly will. After all, she's the makeup artist responsible for Scarlett Johansson's Dolce and Gabbana-ad red lips (at left) and the creative genius behind nearly every fashion week beauty trend from New York to Milan. This weekend, McGrath will be making an appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue to introduce the much-hyped about makeup collection from Dolce & Gabbana, which she helped develop. Learn vampy runway tricks and va-va-voom tips from this backstage doyenne, then head to Bar Pitti afterwards to pick up your very own Italian stallion.

Saks Fifth Avenue, Saturday, May 16th. One-on-one consultations by appointment only (12 pm-5 pm), call 212.940.4949

VanityFair.com Hearts Antica Farmacista

Fan of Antica Farmacista home fragrances (at right)? Moi oci. And I was fortunate enough to meet the founders of this gorgeous brand for Vanity Fair. Learn more about Susanne Pruitt and Shelley Callaghan, the dynamic duo behind the line, by clicking here. Enjoy!

Corner Market

Duane Reade and Sephora get the job done, but sometimes, you want your beauty shopping to feel a little more...special. For me, this means restocking my bathroom essentials with products plucked from an intimate, old world-style pharmacy—like Drug Mart, which I visited earlier today. In this light-filled, UES space, floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves are artfully arranged with skin and body lines such as Kiehl's, Roger & Gallet, and Mustela, to name a few. Spin racks hold the latest Tweezerman tools, while a quaint cash wrap displays collectible lip balms and breath mints in kitschy Euro tins. Ascend the stairs in the back to pick up basics like vitamins, q-tips, and prescriptions in a Roman farmacia setting that makes running errands less of a chore than an inspiration. Think of it as "Slow Beauty."

Drug Mart Pharmacy, 1631 York Avenue at 86th Street, 212-737-8800

Glow On

In the battle between body lotion and body oil, the latter has always played underdog. After all, who really wants to resemble a Maxim cover girl? This spring, however, I discovered the great equalizer: Dr. Hauschka Birch Arnica Body Oil (at left). This chemical-free, feather-light moisturizer is formulated entirely of skin-quenching natural oils derived from sunflower seed, birch leaves, and jojoba—plus energizing lemon and mint fragrances to soothe tired muscles and jump-start the senses. Unlike similar variations, it comes with a pump dispenser to avert spills, and sinks quickly into limbs for a touchable sheen that's subtly sexy, not desperately slick.

BeautyGuRoo on Glamour.com! Yay!

My lovely friend Fiorella invited me to be part of a Mother's Day story she wrote for Glamour.com. Thanks, Fi! I'm honored. Click here to read more about the beauty secrets yours truly and others (including Molly Stern, Polly Osmond, and Annie Tomlin) picked up from Mom. x

City of Angels

Dying to see a Victoria's Secret model in the flesh? Surprise your boyfriend this Saturday with a trip to the company's newest store on Lexington Avenue. Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima will be there to personally introduce the Sexy Little Things Noir fragrance and body care collection (at right) while signing autographs for a lucky few. Just be sure to wear your tallest heels.

Victoria's Secret, 722 Lexington Avenue at 58th Street, Saturday, May 9 from 12:30 pm-1:30 pm

Coco Nuts

Nearly a decade ago, Audrey Tautou stole our hearts as the gamine Amélie Poulain, and now the quiet French beauty is poised to do it again. As of tomorrow, May 5th, the actress will front Chanel No 5's latest ad campaign, premiering exactly 88 years after the scent's original debut—on Madame's favorite, lucky-number day. The high profile stint (previous luminaries include Nicole Kidman) involves various print images, as well as a leave-you-breathless short that reunites Tautou with her Amélie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. And you thought Cinco de Mayo was just about margaritas. Click here to view behind-the-scenes clips on YouTube, and stay tuned to watch Tautou portray the epic and still relevant designer in Anne Fontaine's biopic Coco Avant Chanel later this year.

Model Citizens

Where do all the pretty people go? Well, tonight, at least, to the Met. In just a few hours, hundreds of New York City's wealthiest (yes, even still) socialites, glossiest editors, chicest starlets, and tallest magazine fixtures will brave the rain for a chance to share air and red carpet space with some of the most iconic faces in fashion. This year's Costume Institute Gala, themed "The Model as Muse," celebrates nearly a century's worth of legendary beauties—from Dovima (above left) and Jerry Hall, to "Trinity" members Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington, to new-school glamazons like Kate Moss, Gisele, and Agyness Deyn—as seen through the eyes of the world's greatest photographers and designers. The exhibit, sponsored by Marc Jacobs, opens for us mortals tomorrow and runs through August 9th.

Smooth Operator

This week, the FDA approved cosmetic use of Reloxin, the first competitor to Botox to land Stateside. Already popular in Europe, where it is marketed as Dysport, the botulinum toxin derivative works just like its predecessor to inhibit muscle contractions associated with wrinkles. The difference? According to clinical trials, Reloxin spreads more quickly than Botox (yielding even faster results), and lasts up to six months (versus four). Though cost per dose is still being determined (Botox is roughly $350 per area), Reloxin could be a wiser, recession-conscious investment.

And the winner is...

Congratulations, Carrie! Please email me your full name and address so I can send you your prize! Thank you for participating, and stay tuned for more future fashion and makeup giveaways. x