Because Your Face is Not Fondue, STAY AWAY from Sharp Pointed Objects

Sephora is Eyeshadow Government's home away from home, and the mere thought of criticizing this emporium of goodness would be like cutting off our right hand. But while rambling through the aisles of Sephora, a dangerous piece of metal flashed into our field of vision. It's a "complexion extractor with lance" and is sold in some Tool sections of Sephora.

This tool should only be used by professionally licensed aestheticians. By "extracting" pores at home, you risk permanent scarring and infection.

In summary, facial extractions are so not DIY. That's why Benjamin Franklin invented money.

(Sephora's website has an appropriate disclaimer about this complexion extractor, explaining sterilization techniques and advising customers with deep acne and/or cystic acne to visit a dermatologist instead.)

Recommended: Spafinder.com.

Easy Everyday Favorite: Chidoriya Maiko Soap

My friend gave me a puzzled look when I picked up an $8 "bar of soap" wrapped in neat paper. But it's for my face and Japanese, and in the grand scheme of things, was a total steal.

Better than a Swiffer, Chidoriya Maiko Soap is a soap that doesn't strip your skin of its natural moisture. We use it all the time, but it seems to last for months on end. Just don't nibble it.

Buy it: Chidoriya Maiko Soap ($8.00), Luilei at 682 union street, brooklyn ny 11215; or ChidoriyaWorld online

How to Be Royal Blue

Way back when, there was no makeup for chicks like you and me unless you were a duchess. Life pre-diet Coke must have really sucked.

But Royal Blue is the way to go when you're up for some historical (spring!) romance. This shade is schoolgirl at first sight, but spells plain drama on the eyes. For a smoky night look, lightly line your eyes and the inner corner of your lower lid with Urban Decay's Deluxe Eyeshadow in Adore using a firm tipped brush. Then mess it up with your fingers. (Adore, pictured above).


In terms of a color-match, i.d. Bare Minerals also has a powder shade in Denim. The only problem was that while testing it out, half the pot landed on my forehead, which was kind of embarassing to be a blueberry. If you're careful with the loose powder, layer the royal blue base with a pretty amethyst shade, like Bare Minerals in Bordeaux, across the lids and then, blend Bare Minerals Eyeshadow in Blush shade below the brows to really open up your eyes.

Can we say "meow" Duchess? Off with their heads!

Buy it: Urban Decay Deluxe Eyeshadow in Adore ($17); i.d. Bare Minerals Eyeshadow in Bordeux and Blush ($12), Sephora.

The Perfect Spring: Paul and Joe Lipstick

Make lips prettier than tulips with Paul & Joe lipstick in Coral. Floral everything is absolutely "in" for spring.


Buy it: Paul & Joe Lipstick ($20), Anthropologie.

Plant It: Matchstick Garden and Eco Lips Organic Lip Balm

Cuteness demands we post this: a matchstick book with seeds($12.50) and Eco Lips balm in plush red ($4) for lush gardening.


Read more about Earth Day below...

Earth Day Report: The O.A., The O.C., Rich Hippie Perfume, and Recycle too

The Good and the Bad
Why else would I feel snowflakes in April in New York? Earth Day is especially important this year because, lets's face it, our environment is going down the tubes.
Aaaaaah!!



Organic Avenue
Well, that day it was Christmas in April in NY, I went on a walk and got sucked into Organic Avenue along Stanton Street. I probably would have planted a few trees to get this hot organic cotton dress by NaturevsFuture. And in the spirit of truthfulness, I would have even chopped down a tree if that meant they woulda given me this dress, also featured in Italian Vogue.

Plunging into their beauty products section, the OA stocks Rich Hippie perfume in "Marrakech." Our vision is to wear the smoky "Marrakech" during the day to yoga, but we also see it dabbed on the shoulders and on hair at night, with a burgundy-mahogany dress.


Television Saves Earth Day Blues: The O.C.
So polar icecaps are melting, and this makes the ocean very confused and unhappy. Good thing large bodies of water remind me of The O.C., my greatest joy. SoapNet, a constant source of inspiration for all those around me, has revved up yet again and beneficently delivered THE O.C. on RERUN, often two times a day! I know it's only TV, but we believe The O.C. will inspire future environmentalists to save that wonderful stretch of the California coastline, if not the world.



That's all for Earth Day, and do what you can. Aint no non-biodegradable cup of Jamba Juice gonna get us out of this mess.

Buy it: NaturevsFuture Sexy Shirtdress ($225) and Marrakech by Rich Hippie ($85), Organic Avenue (The Organic Avenue website says "ciao for now, sold out" for the dress, but they had some in the store).

Nancy Drew Is Glam'rous Too

Wouldn't it be fun to paint your toenails red behind a secret bookcase wall? Yuh-huh.


We're so glad you're on the same page. If you want to smell like bookcase wood, Comme des Garcons Incense Perfume in Avignon is heavy with teak, patchouli, and cedar hues. Also, CB Experience "In the Library" perfume absolute, designed to smell of a thick Russian novel, makes for a good nap at the Strand.

Tart up nerdy Nancy Drew detective looks with secret spy-gel O-GLOW blusher by Smashbox. O-Glow starts clear on on the figertips, and heats up to a natural flush on your cheeks. Spooky!








Buy it: Comme des Garcons Incense Perfume in Avignon ($62), Lucky Scent or Annie O. at the Hotel On Rivington; CB Perfume Experience "In the Library" ($12-55), I Hate Perfume; O-Glow by Smashbox ($26), Sephora, Secret Bookcase Security Wall by Woodfold.