Packing for HSN

I made sure to pack some of my favorite skincare and makeup products since my first show was at 4am!  I can’t believe I was live on air with 90 million eyes watching me, what an incredible experience. I loved being able to chat about our #1 eye cream  M-61 Hydraboost Eye to whole country! I received such a warm welcome, from all of the hosts — Shannon Fox, Kathy Wolf and had a blast on the Beauty Report with Amy Morrison. We actually sold out! Looking forward to more visits for sure!

• Trish McEvoy Beauty Booster Lip and Cheek Color
  in Perfect Rose ($30)
• Trish McEvoy High Volume Mascara Jet Black ($31)
• NARSissist Dual Intensity Eyeshadow Palette ($79)
• Acqua di Parma Colonia ($156)
• Trish McEvoy Power of Brushes Perfect Placement ($198)
• Bobbi Brown Lip Pencil in True Pink ($23)
• R+Co Continental Glossing Wax ($27)
• Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-3 ($34)
• M-61 JetGlow Serum ($98)
• M-61 Hydraboost Eye ($78)
• Trish McEvoy Beauty Balm in Shade 1 ($85)
• Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 5.5
  Available at select Bluemercury locations
• Bobbi Brown CC Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35
  in Blushed Nude ($44)
• M-61 SuperSoothe E Makeup Remover ($22)
• M-61 Power Cleanse Travel Size ($9)
• M-61 Perfect Cleanse Travel Size ($9)
• Hydraboost Moisturizer ($72)
• R+Co Outer Space Flexible Hairspray Travel Size ($17)
• Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray Purse Size ($22)
• Deborah Lippmann Rolling In The Deep Creme Nail Polish ($18)
• M-61 Vitablast C Serum ($92)
• M-61 Hydraboost Cream ($84)
• La Mer The Radiant Serum ($310)
• La Mer The Radiant Concealer in Light ($70)
• Fekkai Technician Color Care Shampoo Travel Size ($5)
• M-61 Power Glow Peel ($28)

Escape to Palm Beach and New Sunscreen Recipe

I quickly escaped to Palm Beach for Presidents' Weekend with Barry and the kids. Every time we go I start the day playing tennis in a group clinic early in the morning before lounging with the kids by the ocean.

This trip I concocted the perfect morning protection ritual:

M-61Vitablast C ($92) (vitamin C under sunscreen adds additional antioxidant protection), then La Mer The Reparative Face Sun Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($125) (one of the more hydrating SPFs for my tough winter skin), then Trish McEvoy Beauty Balm Instant Solutions SPF 35 ($85) to even out my skin tone so I look presentable (I feel like I get extra protection from the tinted color, but there is absolutely no scientific evidence of this). Next I popped on some mascara and ran out the door to the courts. (Last in my lineup is Hampton Sun SPF 35 Continuous Mist Sunscreen ($32), this sheer, non oily spray is perfect for active kids' arms and legs!)

A perfect recipe - no new freckles and no sun at all. Looking at my skin, it looks as if I didn't even go to Florida for the weekend!

A Day In The Life: Kids, Rodarte Show, and Bluemercury Store Manager Meeting!

6:15am - Alarm went off and I woke up between my 2 daughters, age 11 and 9, in our king bed. Barry (my partner in all things family and work) is out on the West Coast looking at potential store sites. Looked in the mirror horrified. This cold weather is wreaking havoc on my skin. Did an M-61 Power Glow Peel and ran out the door at 7am. Almost a foot of snow on the walk!

9am - Shuttle to NYC. Read The Washington Business Journal, WSJ, and WWD on the plane. Also my favorite new book, Location Is (Still) Everything by David Bell, Wharton Professor. Applied my favorite NARS Audacious lipstick (Brigitte) over Laura Mercier’s Defining Lip Pencil in Hazelnut Tea as we landed.

11:45am - Posted up at Rodarte show – thank you, NARS. Front row seat between the smartest beauty editors ever – Jane Larkworthy of W and Sarah Brown of Vogue. Sarah’s skin is fabulous, she said her secret is layers and layers of face oil. Also sat close to Jean Godfrey June who told me about the BBC show “Doctor Who” for my son. Rodarte show was off the hook. I need the blue fur coat and leather and lace pants. NARS’ makeup was nude face, soft coral lips (need these now, too!), and silver sparkle eyeliner under the eyes. Prominent sculpted cheek bones, of course.

1pm - Headed to our Summit, New Jersey store for a meeting with our amazing store managers. Talk about beauty tips – they are the best in the business and could write their own magazine!

6pm - Flying home from Newark to Washington. Kids had a snow day but I’m definitely going to look at their homework!

Tomorrow - Day trip to Boston!

On My Desk Right Now: Parisian Creativity

We all know that French design is out of this world. I had the double hit this week with the landing of Diptyque's new Rosafolia Candle ($65) and the announcement of Darphin's new collaboration with Antoinette Poisson, a designer of exquisite hand made wall paper. Diptyque's candle is a heavenly green and rose fragrance — the perfect pre-spring scent to get you through the cold and rainy and snowy winter days. And Darphin's collaboration comes hand-in-hand with their new Exquisage collection  (launching this April) — a heavenly strengthening and protective serum and cream combo that includes peptides, mukurossi fruit (from India: more on India later!), resveratrol and seaweed. I am definitely going to be using the serum under my primer and moisturizer in the morning. I love when beauty products are beautiful!

Can't wait for Exquisage to launch? Some of my favorite Darphin products:

Darphin Dark Circles Relief & De-Puffing Eye Serum ($76) - to relieve dark circles and puffiness.

Darphin Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum ($88) - a soothing serum for the days your skin feels irritated.

Darphin Stimulskin Plus Divine Eye Cream ($136) - the ultimate anti-aging eye cream.

Dreamy Winter Products

($62 SHOP NOW >) is light and hydrating and the Infusion de Rose Nourishing Creme ($68 SHOP NOW >) is rich and supremely moisturizing. I love using the Rose Oil over a vitamin C serum at night for the perfect winter cocktail!

Laura Mercier's new rose products are perfect for dull, dry winter skin. The Infusion de Rose Nourishing Oil

One of My Favorite Gifts Ever

I am so excited that we are finally offering Jo Malone online! No one makes fragrance like Jo Malone, and the iconic ivory and black boxes make such a statement! Here are some of my favorites:

1. The Cologne Intense Collection, it doesn't get better than this sweet set of Jo's top fragrances. Velvet Rose & Oud is one of my favorites and the new Saffron is a beautiful blend of creamy warmth and a light spiciness. Great for daughters, moms or best friends!
   
   
2. Our whole family loves the diffusers. We have them in every bathroom. You can pair them with a body and hand wash for an elegant hostess gift. The family favorite is Lime, Basil & Mandarin. I also love the richness of Pomegranate Noir, and my best friend loves English Pear & Freesia.
   
   
   
   
3. The Wood Sage & Sea Salt Home Candle is the perfect holiday gift for yourself. Burn in the kitchen for a festive night, every night. Also love in Peony & Blush Suede.
   
   
   
   
4. Other favorite is the Peony & Blush Suede Collection. Cologne, body and hand wash, and a rich body crème. I would love this luxurious gift!
   
   

(Note: Jo Malone is available at select Bluemercury locations)

My Top 15 Holiday Picks

Holiday shopping can be simple. Here are some of my top picks for...
Trish McEvoy Timeless Beauty Planner ($235)

Tocca Eau de Parfum Viaggio Holiday Set 2014 ($45)

RéVive Limited Edition Artbox 12 ($595)

La Mer The Discovery Set ($350)
NARS Tech Fashion Lipgloss Set ($39)

Lafco Opal Amaryllis Candle ($60)

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Mini Lip & Eye Palette ($30)

Laura Mercier Mini Caviar Stick Eye Colour Collection ($55)
Darphin Divine Anti-Aging Set ($295)

Kiehl's Since 1851 Rockwell Hydration Essentials Kit ($29)

Oribe Cult Classic Collection Holiday Bag ($41)

Diptyque Mini Holiday Candle Set ($98)

Acqua di Parma Colonia Leather ($210)

Molton Brown The Bathing Treasures Collection ($50)

Natura Bissé Diamond Holiday Set 2014 ($370)