True Nature Botanicals Seed Serum

Each time I learn about a new True Botanicals product I get excited. The eco-luxe skin care brand loves to innovate and their limited edition Seed Serum is an excellent companion for any winter regimen. I have my usual arsenal of face oils but this one seems to be the most efficient at rejuvenating my skin from brutal winter conditions.

Fortified with ten potent seed oils, this serum is surprisingly light and absorbs easily. It contains concentrated amounts of plant seed oils of carrot, green tea, hemp, grape, chia, red raspberry, evening primrose, abyssinian, papaya, and blackberry. An essential oil blend of rose, sandalwood, frankincense and neroli delivers an elegant and healing fragrance. Some of the ingredients are hard to source, making it all the more precious. Indeed, a veil of nourishing luxury for the face! 

Available for $125 (1 oz) at truebotanicals.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

NARS L'Amour, Toujours L'Amour Palette

NARS makeup fans can start off 2016 with a brand-new palette! The limited edition NARSissist L’Amour, Toujours L’Amour Eyeshadow Palette ($59) consists of twelve matte and shimmering shades to complete any day or night look. You get a gorgeous mix of neutral and dramatic shades that's both office appropriate and perfect for date nights.

I have to say, this is an awesome palette. The colors are all flattering and wearable. I wish there was a dark teal or green shade for some variation but these are quite stunning. My favorite shades are Pistol Grey, Industrial Steel, Amethyst Ash, and Regal Blue. 

Available at all NARS boutiques and narscosmetics.com. The palette will be sold at Sephora and department stores on February 1.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

label.m Organic Shampoo & Conditioner

label.m has some fantastic organic haircare. Gentle enough for daily use, their Organic Orange Blossom Shampoo ($26.95) feels like you're shampooing with a splash of juicy oranges. The Organic Lemongrass Shampoo is also lovely as it's fortified with quince seed and oat extract to nourish damaged hair. Both are suitable for all hair types but the orange blossom is tailored for fine hair while lemongrass is for dry hair. They're also free of sulfates, parabens and sodium chloride.

The corresponding organic conditioners ($28.50) are also terrific. The light texture is less viscous than most conditioners so it's much easier to distribute it around the hair. It's pretty hard (at least for me) to choose between the two scents but you can't go wrong with either one. 

Available at labelm-usa.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Frankie Rose Cosmetics

I only learned about Frankie Rose Cosmetics recently and was invited to try their products. The LA makeup company launched two years ago by pro makeup artists and since then they've garnered a lot of fans. Their price points are also quite affordable, making this a great draw for those looking for superior quality without burning through their budgets.

The most popular item from their lineup, the Matte Perfection Foundation ($32) gives natural-looking coverage without feeling like you're wearing a ton of product. In fact, you can barely feel it. The shade Neutral worked really well on me, which is great for light-medium skin. Folks with dry skin should really moisturize or exfoliate before application. It works so well I don't even need their Our Lil' Secret Concealer ($24), another product with great coverage. Paired with their Prime Addiction Face Primer ($42), you get flawless makeup that'll last all day. 

I'm also really impressed with finely-milled silkiness of the Powder Foundation ($30). Lightweight and buildable, it totally rivals the quality of luxury brands. The compact comes with a mirror and sponge underneath, making it super convenient for touch-ups.

Last, but not least, their Lip Gloss ($16) is pretty darn amazing. I loved Pressed Flower, a shiny neutral pink that should flatter most skin types. Non-sticky and moisturizing, it's almost like a lacquer since it's so pigmented. In other words, it's a pleasure to use! 

Available at www.frankierosecosmetics.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Hiram Green Voyage

A natural luxury perfume that's quite different from commercial scents, the new Voyage is a heady and exotic creation from niche parfumeur Hiram Green. The handcrafted eau de parfum highlights citrus, spicy amber, suede and sensual vanilla. 

 

Citrus notes are expertly weaved in so it doesn't grab at you with an obvious intention. Rather, it's a subtle gesture, requiring some careful attention. It soon opens up to the warm, sweet elements of amber and vanilla. Suede dances around languidly in the background, adding an extra layer of coziness.

Voyage has stong lasting power, which is always wonderful to experience in a natural fragrance. If this modern-day Oriental scent speaks to you, go snatch at bottle as Green only made 250 limited edition bottles.

Available in a 5 ml spray ( €25/$27) and 50 ml bottle (€135/$146) at hiramgreen.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Amedei Crema Toscana All'Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva

Amedei is back with another amazing product to tempt your taste buds. Their new Crema Toscana All'Olio Extra Vergine Di Oliva is a rich, gorgeous hazelnut chocolate spread that's mixed with extra virgin olive oil. Founder Cecilia Tessieri selected a special olive oil from the Tuscan area of Bagno a Ripoli. You can taste a hint of it, lingering in the palate for just a bit. 

With the healthful benefits of olive oil, there's no guilt in indulging in this sumptuous treat. You can serve it with your morning brioche or toast, or if you're like me, just spoon it straight out of the jar!

The 7.05 oz jar (200 gr) is available for €15,50 (about $17 USD) at www.amedei.it.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Tarte Holiday Makeup Gifts

Christmas is just two weeks away, so if you haven't found any beauty gifts for your makeup friends now's the time to do so. The Tarte Holidaze Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set is a great value at $35. You get four flattering limited-edition shades: Sincere (golden mauve), Supreme (melon), Surprised (cool rose), and Stellar (peachy pink).

The Amazonian Butter Lipsticks make perfect little stocking stuffers. At $17 each, you're not breaking the bank. Creamy and rich, these come with a minty flavor that tingles with each application. The floral cardboard tubes are so adorable! Favorite shades include Plummy Rose, Poppy, and Angelic Nude.

Holy moly, the new Lights, Camera, Lashes Double-Ended Lash Primer & 4-in-1 Mascara ($20) might be the best eye product of the year. The new Opening Act Lash Primer does WONDERS for wimpy Asian lashes. Add the amazing 4-in-1 Mascara and bam—crazy long, volumized lashes. The duo has a combined weight of .32 fl oz, which is a better value than buying each product alone. 

Available at tartecosmetics.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Aftelier Organic Blood Orange & Cardamom Black Tea

I already love Mandy Aftel's matcha chai so I was eager to try her new Organic Blood Orange & Cardamom Black Tea. The rare Mao Feng tea leaves are sourced from the Fujian province of China.  

Warm and toasty, this slightly smoky tea is tinged with a comforting, mild sweetness—a direct result of the full oxidation and pan-fired processes. Hints of cardamom and blood orange dance around the palate, elevating your afternoon tea to a new gourmand experience. If you're lucky enough to dine at COI and Alta in San Francisco, both restaurants serve Mandy's beautiful teas. 

Available for $20 (30 grams) at www.aftelier.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

Dolce & Gabbana Holiday 2015 Makeup

Classic shades of red, antique gold and black are the foundation of the Dolce & Gabbana The Essence of Holiday 2015 collection. 

Red lipstick lovers can check out their Classic Cream Lipstick ($34.50) in Dora 628. 

Nails get the shiny gold treatment with the Intense Nail Lacquer ($27) in Antique Gold 813. Micro gold particles give it an understated shimmer.

As for the eyes, get the tried-and-true smoky eye with Perfect Mono Cream Eye Colour ($37) in Extreme Black 150. 

Available at Saks Fifth Avenuen and Nordstrom. 

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.

SK-II Holiday 2015 Facial Treatment Essence

SK-II is back with holiday versions of their bestselling Facial Treatment Essence. Available for a limited time throughout the holiday season, you get to choose from three festive designs. If you already use this cult skincare product, now's the time to restock with a pretty patterned bottle!

This year's theme is "Wings of Change." Images of the butterfly and hummingbird are featured prominently in three color motifs, signifying different meanings. Red butterflies are an emblem of boldness while pink ones symbolize encouragement. Blue hummingbirds represent perseverance. 

Available in 7.7 oz/230ml ($229) at all SK-II counters (Nordstrom, Macy's) and online at www.sk-ii.com.

For editorial consideration, review product was provided by the brand.