Fall Crush 2007

It's just a few days into official autumn here in central New York, and I find myself completely in love with everything that has a vintage Alpine winter aesthetic. I think it started when I developed a muscle spasm from my neck into my shoulder blade and wrapped myself up in chunky knits and using big smears of Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Headache Relief massage cream all over my back.

Some current favorites: nutella on croissants or crepes, ricola original formula (not at the same time as nutella), a warm mug of hot whiskey, and one of the best classic Bond Films- "In Her Majesty's Secret Service"

But as it applies to beauty goodies, it's all about a staunch regimen of exfoliation and moisturization. Some favorites:


Lush Bohemian Soap: Lush products were a favorite when I stayed in hostels during my study abroad in Ireland (which lacks Alps but its winter certainly holds its own). This soap smells like limoncello, a more European alternative to tropical salt and sugar scrubs when paired with a stiff scrub brush.

Neutrogena Swiss Formula Hand Cream: I love this silky formula, it sinks in beautifully, instantly replenishes, and leaves a gorgeous not-too-oily buffed sheen on nails and cuticles.


Bourjois Baume de Nuit Night Lip Balm: I'd be lying if I said I've never bought a book just for the cover, and I am simply in love with this packaging. I haven't bought this balm yet, but it's on my Sephora list for when I head back to Oregon in December (Syracuse is tragically without a Sephora). On question though- if it's a night treatment, why on earth is it tinted? Regardless, the glossy pink shown in the photo will either be nonexistent on lips, turn them into luscious Bond Girl goodness, or will be an ugly spackl-esque disaster as so many pale tinted balms inevitably are.

Fall Must-Haves

During my eight hour drive from Virginia to New York I entertained myself with my iPod and thinking about fall make-up. To my dismay, I got home and the September Allure had somehow ripped off all my ideas.

My favorites:

Tangerine Lips- whip out that Chanel Coral Reef glossimer and Fresh Portrait of a Lady blush I mentioned earlier, and pair it with sheer chocolate or champage on the eyes- just avoid heavy shimmer and go for a subtle pearl texture instead.

Slate Eyeshadow- Personally I find the eyeshadow too heavily applied in this photo but the lips are spot-on; the perfect stained warm berry. Allure used Superstay Glos in Golden Toffee by Maybelline, I like Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey. For eyes I like doing a smoky smudged line of gunmetal shadow like Tarte's Here's Looking at You and blending in Stila Shore, a complex lilac gray, on top or up to the crease for night.

Aside from Allure, here's my other top fall picks:

Tarte Blushing Bride cheekstain- the perfect dewy berry blush for fall, very cold weather NE collegiate. It's not too red or too cool toned unlike so many gel/liquid stain blushes

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey- goes perfectly with Blushing Bride, this looks like you've been eating blackberries all day. One caveat: the formula could be more moisturizing, so use some balm underneath. Usually I pass on products that don't have adequate texture but this color is just too perfect to pass up.

MAC Satin Taupe eyeshadow- this brown has gorgeous dimension and can be used as a sheer wash or as an intense smoky eye. It's slightly cool toned so it looks great throughout fall's weather spectrum but it's not so cool toned that it won't work with your fading tan. I love to buff this lightly on my lid from lashes to crease with a soft fluffly brush and mascara and a little liner, it adds the perfect ammount of depth and sparkle

Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Blush- I added this to my stash last year, it gives me those enviable Carrie Bradshaw winter cheeks circa end of season 6 when she was dating The Russian. It looks vibrant in the pan but goes on a delicate ballet pink which again works wonders as your tan fades. If this shade doesn't work for you, Bobbi has added a few new shades in the fresh pink/peach spectrum that are all equally stunning.

Stella by Stella McCartney- my quintessential fall fragrance, this pairing of fresh rose and sultry amber is superb. The best thing about this fragrance is that it absolutely melts into your body's own scent, your clothing, or anything else you spray it on; it becomes a part of you in the sexiest way. I'm particularly obsessed with the way it blends with the scent of paper, and I keep a tester card tucked into my trusty Moleskine notebook.