Just when you’re about to scream “fuck the recession” at the top of your lungs, BeautyTicket.com appears out of left field BECAUSE of the recession. The two beauty-savvy founders didn’t see the need for people to trade down to drugstore brands during a credit crunch (or ever, for that matter) so they pooled their life savings and launched this online beauty mecca.

So, here it is in a nutshell: Premium beauty brands (like Smashbox, YSL, Pop Beauty, etc.) at deep discounts. How do they do it? They buy overstocks of products from current collections and closeouts of products from the previous season. It’s all unopened, fresh, and dirt cheap. There’s only one catch — if you see a deal you like, snag it because it probably won’t be there the next time you check back! (And, to make sure you don’t miss out on what’s coming down the pipeline, be sure to sign up for their weekly email and Twitter announcements.)

SOURCE: BeautyTicket.com: Can You Say “Dirt Cheap Premium Cosmetics”?

If any of you have a Nordstrom in your city and you plan on purchasing $100.00 or more on beauty and fragrance in the next week, don’t forget to pick up your free gift. An exclusive designed Ruben Toledo cosmetics bag filled with 13 deluxe samples from your favorite beauty brands. This offer expires Monday, April 13 or while supplies last.

It Includes:

* Origins Modern Friction™ Nature’s Gentle Dermabrasion (0.17 oz.)

* L’Occitane Almond Milk Concentrate (0.28 oz.)

* Clarins High Definition Body Lift (0.35 oz.)

* Laura Mercier Mini Foundation Primer – Oil-Free (0.5 oz.)

* Smashbox ‘Sheer Focus’ Tinted Moisturizer in Luminous (0.17 oz.)

* Chloé Natural Spray Eau de Parfum (0.04 oz.)

* Bare Escentuals® RareMinerals™ Purely Nourishing Facial Moisturizer (0.06 oz.)

* Shiseido Bio-Performance Super Refining Essence (0.14 oz.)

* Kate Somerville™ ExfoliKate™ Intensive Exfoliating Treatment (0.16 oz.)

* Anastasia Brow Gel – Clear (0.02 oz.)

* Philosophy ‘the present’ clear makeup skin perfector (0.5 oz.)

* Leaf & Rusher Rapid Resurface (0.10 oz.)

* Bvlgari Jasmin Noir Eau de Parfum Natural Spray (0.05 oz.)

Although the only time I’ve ever looked at an issue of Marie Claire was offhandedly in the doctor’s waiting area, I am totally enthralled by this fashion-soaked reality show. It’s an entertaining, if not accurate depiction of what it’s like to work as an intern at a mainstream glossy. This show has done for me what Stylista didn’t—instead of nonsensical challenges and novelty, weekly eliminations (that by the way took place on a made for TV set) we see three, couldn’t-be-more-different fashion industry hopefuls tackle real (?) assignments and frenetically run around NYC in their respective heels all in an effort to please the dry, yet endearing editor-in-chief Joanna Coles.

With four episodes down, the characters are well in place. Samantha, who is by far my favorite, is the small-town, doe-eyed optimist whose positive attitude more than makes up for her naiveté. Despite some seeming body image issues—an ill-fitting sample size garment results in a teary breakdown—her sweet and carefree nature makes her stand out amidst the I-take-myself-way-too-seriously ilk. Talita is the opportunistic diva who definitely rocks the best outfits, and speaks with a deep, self-assured cadence. With a degree from the eponymous FIDM, she’s a little tense, but driven. Then there’s the deplorable wretch that is Ashley, who’s “bring the other girls down to make myself look good” approach will really get her far in this industry (insert sarcastic tone here). Instead of letting her experience speak for itself, which she’s failed to do thus far, she flagrantly whines and complains about the other girls getting more glamorous assignments while she gets stuck running mundane errands. Um, hello…that’s what interns do. Secondly, a negative disposition will only perpetuate a less than desirable situation; you get what you put out and being a hater gets you nowhere.

If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend checking it out. It’s as mind-numbingly addictive as Top Model reruns on Oxygen, but better.

Some of the newest makeup shades are bold (red blush), luscious (caramel gloss)—and even bizarre (mauve everywhere). These shades that can be worn by all, below you will find a cheat sheet to help you when selecting a new color.

I have always been a big fan of Smashbox Cosmetics, even before they were introduced to SEPHORA, and I still love what the company stands for; quality makeup, brushes and supplies at affordable prices. And I always look forward to viewing the new season’s ads. Here are my favorite collections from SMASHBOX for 2008.

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I know a lot of you are feeling the recession this year, but we can’t let that affect us from buying a new eye shadow color or sexy new lip gloss. So this weekend, I went to the drugstores to give you all the 411 on what’s out there. I decided to go to the L’Oreal section to see what’s new and close to some of my favorite makeup lines; Nars, Stila, Smashbox and M.A.C.

What I ended up buying was products from the L’Oreal HIP line. The HIP line has high intensity pigments that are very similar to those of NARS and M.A.C. L’Oreal has 5 new metallic eye-shadows this fall and they are AMAZING and great for Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties. Their loose pigments are also a must and they are highly pigmented allowing for very rich with bold colors. Another must have item from the HIP line is the cream eyeliner, also comes in 5 colors, my favorites colors are black, midnight blue, and teal and they come with a small angle brush. I love that the cream eyeliner goes on smooth and easy, and can be smudged for a smoky look.

They also have two great lip products; the jelly balm and the lip gloss. The jelly balm kept my lips moist and non-sticky, giving me a sheer lip color to use by itself or on top your favorite lipstick. The best part was my hair did not get stuck to my lips. The hip gloss is better for the evening because it gives more color and I didn’t have to put on a lip pencil, a lipstick and lip gloss. I didn’t have to carry so many items with me, and both lip products have vanilla in them so they smell and taste great.

So, don’t like the stress of the recession effect you staying fabulous. Check out L’Oreal and any of the other brands like Cover Girl, Revlon and Maybelline. They will make great stocking stuffers for your girlfriends.