New at Sephora - Benefit Lip & Cheek Kit and How to Look the Best at Everything Kit

Last month I attended the Benefit Instant Beauty 101 and "Kicking Some Class!" session at Sephora. The beauty crash course featured an introduction to the new Complexion and Lip & Cheek Kits ($28) - Sugarlicious, Go TropiCORAL & Feelin' Dandy and How To Look the Best at Everything ($30) flawless complexion kits in Light, Medium and Deep, exclusively at Sephora. The Lip & Cheek Kit comes with a lip & cheek stain, luminescent complexion enhancer, face powder and lip gloss. How to Look Best at Everything comes with a PRO balm to minimize the appearance of pores, brightening liquid foundation, industrial-strength concealer and custom powder cover-up.

Professor Maggie Ford Danielson (AKA Benefit Global Beauty Authority) and Sephora Pro Lead, Gilbert Soliz provided tips and tricks on how to utilize the all-in-one kits and look good on the go.

These kits combine instant beauty with Sephora PRO's expertise!

The Benefit Lip & Cheek Kit and How to Look the Best at Everything Kit both have simple, step-by-step tips and tricks attached, for quick application. These kits are easy to throw in your tote bag or perfect for leaving in your office drawer for afternoon/evening touch-ups. I love how the kits are so compact and include all the beauty essentials you need!

These new Benefit kits are now available at sephora stores and online at sephora.com.

Gilbert Soliz and Maggie Ford Danielson

Photos courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics

- Kim Weling

Stella & Dot Fall 2012

I'm really excited about Stella & Dot's fall jewelry, especially the new charms collection, ranging from $16-$69. You can choose from one of the six "fixed" necklaces (16" length plus 2" extender) which includes one of the following charms - "with love", tree of life medallion, horseshoe, sparrow or angel wing. You can add additional charms such as an initial or birthstone, or customize your own necklace by picking out a faceted ball chain or sterling silver strand and add then add a charm or two. Each necklace comes in beautiful, gift-ready packaging with a blank note card.

I love layering necklaces or opting for a statement piece, and Stella & Dot just has so many options. One of my favorite pieces is the Gitane Tassel Necklace, featuring a removable tassel and an S-hook that allows versatility to wear it long, short or doubled. I'm also crazy over rose gold, like the geometric Pyramid Studs.

Here's a look at some of the pieces you'll find in Stella & Dot's Fall 2012 collection. You can view the Fall 2012 lookbook here or shop online at stelladot.com.

Left: Secret Garden Cluster Necklace-$69, Secret Garden Cuff-$98, Secret Garden Earrings-$39, Secret Garden Ring-$39

Right: Windsor Tassel Necklace, $89

Center: Gitane Tassel Necklace-$69

Left: Ginger Layering Necklace-$89

Right: Renegade Cluster Necklace-$59, Renegade Layering Necklace-$69, Renegade Cluster Bracelet-$59

Tempest Necklace-$198

Left: La Folie Necklace-$49, Gitane Tassel Necklace-$69

Right: Serenity Necklace-$198

Left: Geneve Lace Bib Necklace-$128, Chantilly Lace Chandelier Earrings-$49, Chantilly Lace Cuff-$98

Right: Olivia Bib Necklace-$118

Left: Bahari Necklace-$98

Right: Rebel Pendant Necklace-$79, Millie Necklace-$69

Bottom right: Pyramid Studs-$29

- Kim Weling

HSN Launches Forsaken Fragrance & Beauty Collection Inspired by HBO's True Blood

On July 26th, I celebrated the launch of HSN's Forsaken luxury fragrance and beauty collection, inspired by HBO's True Blood. Kristin Bauer van Straten, who plays Pam De Beaufort on True Blood, co-hosted the launch alongside HSN and HBO at AIRE Ancient Baths at 88 Franklin Street. Guests indulged in the collection and enjoyed signature cocktails, complimentary manicures and channeled their own inner vampire at the photo booth with a lipstick touch up and fangs.

The Forsaken collection, debuting on August 9th, includes an exclusive fragrance developed by Givaudan, luxury home goods from D.L. & Co and a first-ever lip color with coordinating nail shade from Deborah Lippman.

My favorite in the collection is the Forsaken Eau de Parfum, a sultry, seductive fragrance with pulpy fruits paired with crisp pear notes, followed by mid notes of night blooming jasmine and closes with the dark muskiness of amber and patchouli. A body cream and shimmering body veil powder is also available.

The Forsaken fragrance is cleverly incorporated into nail lacquer developed by Deborah Lippmann. The lacquer that carries the fragrance is entitled “Let It Bleed” and is part of a combination set with a coordinating lipstick – Lippmann’s first ever -- called “Bite Me,” which is also at the top of my list. Lippmann also created two additional sets for the collection: “Sookie Sookie” featuring full-size “Human Nature,” “Fairydust” and “Bad Things;” and a trio of minis including “Strange Love,” “New Flesh” and “Bad Blood.”

Luxury candles and diffusers make the perfect home gifts for any True Blood fan.

Forsaken will launch exclusively on HSN, HSN.com and via HSN mobile. The collection will also be available at the HBO Shop in September and at specialty retailers in late 2012.

Be sure to tune into HSN for the Forsaken launch, with four one hour segments running throughout the day on August 9th, starting at 12:01am.

- Kim Weling

Get Your Shoe Fix Every Month with Shoe Dazzle

If you love shoes, the latest trends and affordability, then you may want to join ShoeDazzle, an online boutique in which you receive personalized picks every month, priced as low as $39.95 each. Handbags, accessories and apparel are also available at shoedazzle.com. Membership is free, but you are never obligated to place an order. So don't worry you'll never be charged a monthly fee, you only get charged when you make a purchase. You also receive 20% off your first item and free shipping .

Here's a look at the current selection of shoes you'll find at ShoeDazzle, starting at size 5 1/2, from pumps and sandals to wedges in a variety of colors.

- Kim Weling

Halston Heritage Ruched Dresses

Bright reds and cool blues give ruched, fitted dresses a luxurious new feel in Halston Heritage’s Fall 2012 collection.

New and Improved Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers in Three New Shades

Be sure to keep your lips soft, smooth and hydrated this summer with Burt's Bees® Lip Shimmers. The 100% natural formula is enhanced with antioxidant-rich Fruit Seed Oils and moisturizing Shea Butter, while Peppermint Oil continues to provide a refreshing, cooling tingle as the classic Beeswax Lip Balm. The full range of Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers include twelve shades, including three new gorgeous colors: Cherry, Plum and Strawberry.

Earlier this summer Burt's Bees® and Marie Claire hosted a launch for the Burt's Bees® Lip Shimmers. Makeup artist Tina Turnbow took attendees through the lip shimmer shades. For my lip match, Tina mixed Plum with Watermelon, which really complimented my outfit and was a great match with my sweater! The lip shimmers really allow you to play with color, whether you decide to mix them together or wear with a lipstick or gloss. I make sure I always have at least one or two lip shimmers in my bag and in my makeup drawer at the office.

- Kim Weling