Best in Beauty: 7/8/2012.

I hope you had a great week and a great holiday. It was so odd with the 4th of July falling on a Wednesday. It was too easy not to work and think of the entire week as a vacation. :)

One the Fourth, we had a HUGE party with a lot of family in town. It was a reunion of sorts and a really wonderful day. With the passing of two very dear loved ones earlier this year, it was finally great for all of us to get together in a more happy "place", though it was clearly evident that our loved ones were dearly missed.

On the beauty front, I learned to do my makeup fast from Mally, then learned how to do it with some great NARS products and tips. I launched a storefront with DermStore. I am working on a few fun things too. I am in love with some great new scenting products from Kiehl's that I will tell you about later in the week.  Tomorrow I have a post that you won't want to miss. It was one of the hardest "challenges" I ever had, but it was one of the most fun. Plus, I am obsessed with bronzers, especially in the summer. I am breaking my favorites down and will be sharing them over the next few weeks, so stay tuned.

Take a look at some of the Best in Beauty of the week.

A Girl's Gotta Spa tells us how to get lips super soft overnight.

Beauty and Fashion Tech shares a secret ingredient to beautiful hair - that can be found right in the kitchen.

Lipstick Powder N Paint writes about how important it really is to protect eyes from the sun.

Makeup Loves Me tells us about the new Maybelline Nail Lacquers, which coincidentally my daughter just had to buy.

Urban Decay announced they they will not be selling their products in China. Urban Decay is a cruelty-free company and decided to stay true to its core audience and not sell in China where finished products must be tested on animals.

Product Girl gives us some wonderful suggestions as to what skincare works in the high heat of the summer.

The Beauty Brains explains how anti-acne products work.

Best in Beauty: 7/1/2012.

Happy July! Time flies when you're having fun, right?

My week was super busy. I went to New York City for a fun video shoot. I wish I could tell you about the video shoot, but I was told it is to be kept secret. I can tell you about how beautiful my NARS makeup was. I was super lucky to have Cindy Rodriguez, Head Artist at NARS Cosmetics do my makeup for the shoot. I learned so much and of course I discovered some new NARS product. Stay tuned for that later this week. It was an experience of a lifetime and I cannot thank NARS or Cindy enough.

Onto the Best in Beauty of the week.

Want to keep your hair looking it's best all summer? 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic tells us how.

Beauty411 shares the latest primers that have her makeup looking beautiful all day long.

Clinique introduces the NEW Experience Bar – a modern evolution in product sampling at counter at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street. Clinique’s Experience Bar uses a variety of sensorial triggers to captivate and engage consumers while simultaneously educating them on treatment offerings. Boasting a new, hygienic vehicle for sampling, consumers are invited to fully explore the remarkable products that pique their interest.

Movie Star Makeover learns about the history of Maybelline, with some amazing old pictures too.

I'm hosting a small DermStore storefront. Be sure to check out it for some of my all time favorite products in My DermStore Shop.

Moxie Reviews™ is talking fall already, but looking at the China Glaze On Safari Collection has me dreaming about the cooler days ahead when I'll be wearing the gorgeous shades.

Musings of a Muse shows off the new Bobbi Brown Instant Pretty Collection.

Spontaneous Chick gets a Grape & Oil Therapy treatment at Skintology.