NARS Velvet Lip Liner

To complement their fabulous Audacious Lipstick line NARS also released 12 new Velvet Lip Liners to coordinate with any lip color in their permanent lipstick collections. 

I tried both Waimea (nude peach pink) and El Agua (lavender rose) shades, which matched the Jane and Anna Audacious Lipsticks perfectly. The mechanical pencil design also ensures a constant sharp point, eliminating the need for sharpening. Worn alone, they're very long lasting and I didn't experience any flaking or drying. If you want to forego lipstick this is an excellent alternative. 

Waimea Velvet Lip Liner.

El Agua Velvet Lip Liner.

Available for $24 at www.narscosmetics.com.

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.

In Fiore Skincare

As a San Francisco native I'm always excited to support local beauty companies. It has taken me a long time to try In Fiore's natural luxury skincare but I'm now a devotee. Founder Julie Elliott only uses wildcrafted and certified organic essential oils, herbal infusions and floral waters for her intoxicating perfumes, body treatments and skincare products.

On a recent visit I went to their Tenderloin studio and got a varied sampling of their beauty collection. Intended for oily skin, the nourishing Pur Face Oil is a light moisturizer I like to use for warm weather. I layer it with Fleur Vibrante Healing Floral Essence to heal acne scars, rashes and sun damage. 

A favorite of mine, the Complexe de Fleur Cellular Renewing Complex is a potent serum to use at night. Containing 12 herbal essences to stimulate collagen production and cellular turnover, the silky fluid is dubbed "liquid gold" by In Fiore fans. Whenever I use this I always see a youthful glow the next morning. 

I was so pleased with their products I decided to get a few more items. The soothing Calme Face Oil is terrific for toning down redness and general skin irritations. Summers in Seattle are rather brutal as there is no cloud cover, so I've been using the Soleil Fleur Before Sun Treatment religiously for extra UV protection. To counteract hyperpigmentation I've also been dabbing the Lucense Illuminating Floral Extract before bedtime. 

For more info: infiore.net.

TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist

Like the Diptyque infused facial water, the TATCHA Luminous Dewy Skin Mist ($48) is another great way to revive tight, parched skin. I like to use the spray after an outdoor workout, especially on a hot day.

This isn't a toner at all — it's a super light moisturizer in a liquid form. Packed with silk extract, camellia oil and squalane, it also includes their proprietary HADASEI-3 complex (rice bran, green tea and red algae) to provide a mega boost of moisture any time you need it. The durable spray pump produces a soothing fine mist and the elegant bottle design makes the experience that much more luxurious. 

Available at www.tatcha.com.

NARS Audacious Lipstick Collection

Need a reason to get a new lipstick for fall? The NARS Audacious Lipstick Collection boasts a dizzying array of 40 colors, 10 of which are retail exclusives at Barneys. Ranging from gorgeous nudes to dramatic reds and bold pinks, these creamy full-coverage lippies deliver intense color in one swipe. I love the new lipstick case as well — sleek matte black with a magnetic closure.

The Anna shade is described as a smokey rose. On my lips it looks like a cool rosy mauve. Jane is described as a terracotta rose but on me it looked like a warm muted orange with a slight hint of brown. The ultra lightweight formula has a great feel (not too slippery) and it isn't drying. On average it lasted about 4-5 hours per application.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anna and Jane.

Audacious Lipsticks in Anna and Jane.

Available ($32 each) at www.narscosmetics.com and Barneys New York. The Audacious Lipstick Collection will be available at Sephora and other department stores on September 1. 

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.

Clarins Shaping Facial Lift Total V Contouring Serum

Clarins is back with another star product! Their Shaping Facial Lift Total V Contouring Serum ($80) is a new version of their bestselling Shaping Facial Lift Serum. The updated formula contains guarana extract to reduce excess fat while zerumbet ginger is used to reduce puffiness. Kaki extract is also included to firm up facial contours. As a result, the jawline looks sharper and cheeks are noticeably sculpted. During a 4-week clinical trial users saw increased face definition by 22.8%.

This serum is especially useful when you have water retention from a salty diet or PMS. It's also great for relieving puffiness if you didn't get enough sleep or after a long plane ride. Don't forget to use their Manual Auto-Lifting Method to enhance your results as well as improve lymphatic drainage. 

Available at www.clarinsusa.com. 

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.

TATCHA Ritual Discovery Kit

I got to try TATCHA's skincare a while back, but they recently launched the Ritual Discovery Kit, an updated version of their former sampler kit. The packaging looks more elegant and the sturdy glass bottles can withstand the rigors of travel. It contains enough products for two weeks so you can enjoy their skincare if you're new to the brand and it's also a fabulous gift idea for beauty lovers. 

Tailored to all skin types, it contains the best-selling Pure One Step Camellia Cleansing Oil and the ultra gentle Polished Rice Enzyme Powder. To address pigmentation issues, the Radiant Deep Brightening Serum is included. For dry skin types, you'll get the Ageless Enriching Renewal Cream while combination, sensitive and oily types will receive the lightweight Supple Moisture Rich Silk Cream.

I can't remember my skin feeling this polished in a while — the rice powder and brightening serum are my absolute favorites. My finicky skin doesn't react to them so it's perfect for sensitive skin. The Ageless renewal cream has just the right amount of richness to provide adequate moisture but it's not heavy at all.

Available for $59 at www.tatcha.com. 

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.

Tarte Best in Faux Lash Extending Fibers

I'm always fascinated by the latest trends in mascara products, so naturally I got excited when I saw Tarte's new Best in Faux Lash Extending Fibers. Unlike most mascara primers, this product is a featherweight nylon brush that adds an extra level of volume and length.

The kit comes with a mini tube of their popular Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara. You first apply one layer of mascara, then gently brush your lashes with the nylon fiber brush. Avoid getting the fibers in your eyes by applying them from the middle part of the lashes. Seal the fibers in with another layer of mascara and you'll end up with flirty, mega wattage eyelashes! I also didn't get any smudging or flaking throughout the day, which is something I expect from Tarte mascaras. 

Available for $19 at tartecosmetics.com. 

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.

NARS Smokey Eye Kit

For eye makeup lovers who don't like large palettes or never-ending color options, the limited edition NARS Smokey Eye Kit ($59) is an everyday essential for beauty minimalists. You get three basic shades to create a gorgeous smoky eye and that's it. No fuss, no muss.

The compact includes Madrague I (matte cream), Bali (matte neutral brown) and Mekong (espresso with gold shimmer). The buttery formula blends easily and the shimmer from Mekong is barely detectable once you blend it out. Overall the eyeshadows lasted over 8 hours without primer. The kit also comes with a mini Via Veneto Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner, which has great color payoff but can be tricky to blend.

I love the idea of the accompanying Wide Contour Travel Brush #43. The brush head is a tad big for precise contouring so I'd use it primarily for all-over application or light blending on the lid. Otherwise you may end up over blending. 

Via feteafete.com

Available at www.narscosmetics.com. 

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.

Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections Fall 2014 Makeup

The Laura Mercier Sensual Reflections fall 2014 makeup collection is tempting us with jeweled tones and dark bold lips! For starters, the limited edition Satin Matte Eye Colour ($24) in Tempting Green is especially striking — the blackened forest green is velvety to the touch and almost has a touch of metallic glint from certain angles. The texture almost reminds me of a gel cream. Definitely use a primer before patting it on to avoid creasing.

Satin Matte Eye Colour in Tempting Green.

The Sensual Reflections Cheek Melange ($42) features a medium pink face powder with a touch of plum. It provides a lovely wash of color on the cheeks but it shows up better on fair or fair-medium skin as payoff is on the light side. The powder is also a tad hard to get out of the pan but once it's on the brush it blends beautifully into the skin.

The Lip Glace ($25) in Desire, a shimmering burgundy, makes a dramatic statement for fall. It's dark enough for a goth look but I like to mix in a lighter lipgloss shade to mellow things out. 

Lip Glace in Desire.

Available at all Laura Mercier counters and www.lauramercier.com.

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.

Eminence Potent C+E Collection

Don't have time for kale salad? Not a problem. Eminence has two ways to let you get your daily dose of veggies. The Potent C+E Collection features a concentrated amount of leafy greens and vitamins to fight sun damage and protect the skin. Clinical studies also show a dramatic 47% reduction in free radical damage after three hours of using the products.

The Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum contains kale, spinach and broccoli sprouts to provide deep nourishment. Stabilized Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) calms inflammation down while hydrolyzed botanical hyaluronic acid (grass extract) keeps skin plump and hydrated. The serum's lightweight formula feels like a refreshing toner and can be layered seamlessly under sunscreen and moisturizer. 

The Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque has a soothing cream-gel texture that's perfect for hot weather. Designed to train skin to absorb more Vitamin C over time, the masque also contains avocado oil to boost hydration while potato juice and rhubarb aid in evening out skin tone. It sorta smells like you're wearing a salad on your face but the results are worth it. 

To purchase Eminence Organic Skin Care, go to www.eminenceorganics.com/en-US/spa-locator.

For editorial consideration, review samples were provided by the brand's PR representative.