Everyone has their own feelings about Valentine’s Day.  Whether you’re single or attached, I think Valentine’s Day is a good excuse to be a little festive – even if it’s just buying yourself some Necco Sweethearts and doing something a little special with your makeup.  The hardest part of course, is taking your flirtatious look from the office out on the town for a night with the girls or a romantic date.

I think the easiest way to be fun at work and flirty at work is to go with a cat-eye to smokey eye look.  You can play up the smokey-ness as much as you want, or even keep it really cat-eye with a red lip later in the day.  Here are a few of my go-to products for an easy v-day look:

1. Le Metier de Beauty Foundation - I have tried a few different foundations in my life, but this 2012 find of mine is my favorite.  The coverage lasts all day, and it never looks cakey or rubs off.  I would apply in the morning with a primer (I like Smashbox Photo Ready), and touch up just a bit before going out under the eyes and along your t-zone if needed

2. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush - Since we're going for a more dramatic eye look here, a pure pinky blush is all that's needed

3. Jordana Fabuliner - Adrianna's recent favorite.  Since it's like a marker, you can make your cat-eye look very Lauren Conrad-ish for day, and play it up at night.  That's it for your day look - just some balm and your favorite neutral gloss!

4. Le Metier de Beauty Eye Shadow Palette - I chose this one from the Fall 2012 collection because it offers nudes and darks.  With this kaleidoscope palette, you can decide whether you want to go full on smokey or just add a little shimmer and depth to your enhanced cat-eye for night

5. So long as your eye shadow color is tame, feel free to play up your lips at night.  I like Revlon's lip butters, and the Red Velvet is very festive

Recently I’ve become obsessed with buying and trying new beauty products. This month alone I’ve tried more new beauty products than I did all of last year. Not joking. While it hasn’t been great for my budget, I’ve been able to find some new must-haves for my everyday routine. Below are four of the finds.

1. Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Lollipop. I’m in love with Revlon lip butter – I bought three new colors. Yikes. It goes on smooth and gives a nice shiny color. It also looks great alone or layered on top of a nude lipstick, which is how I wear it most of the time. You can find it at most drugstores.

2. Protective Nourishment Cranberry Mint Gel. The team at Protective Nourishment sent me this to try and it quickly became my new favorite moisturizing gel. With application it gives you a nice tingly feeling and it’s perfect for anyone with oily skin (me!) since it works to reduce oil production in your skin. Plus it’s natural based.

3. Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge Concealer. For years I’d been using Makeup For Ever’s liquid concealer, but I was ready to try something new. This Laura Mercier concealer goes down smooth and gives ultimate coverage with just the pat of your finger.

4. Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eyeliner. Since I can remember I’ve been using Lancome Kohl Liner. The truth is that it never lasts me through the whole work day, so it was time to  try a liquid. The Jordana liner comes recommended by beauty bloggers and I’m seriously in love with it. It goes on easily in pen-form, is mess free and last the entire day. Plus it dries extremely quickly. The best part? It’s only $2.99 at Duane Reade. Major steal.

Have you tried any new beauty product recently? Tell us which and if you recommend.

The new year is full of resolutions and new promises, some of which are sure to be overwhelming and intimidating.  This year, I told myself I was going to take it one step at a time, and start with small little victories to reach a main goal.  One of my “big picture” goals is to take care of my skin, and a small step to that is washing my face the right way.

Confession – I used to only use Proactiv on my face for years.  However, after a four year dedication to the product, the effects began to wear off.  Being in beauty, I’m used to using my face as a tester for a variety of products and new items, which can kind of take a beating to sensitive skin.  Entering the age that I am, I need to pay better attention to my face and I’m dedicated now to treating my skin right.  I was beyond excited when Le Metier de Beaute sent along their Daily Cleanser and Refreshing Tonic.

I always like having a little grit to my cleansers, and the one from LMdB has just enough exfoliating properties to scrub a day’s dirt and makeup off my skin while cleaning out my pores.  I use this product at night to take off my makeup, and I love it just before putting on a clay mask to get my face prepped.

I have to say I am absolutely obsessed with the Refresh Tonic.  It has a really clean smell, and I can feel it working instantaneously on my skin. This product brings a healthy glow to my face, evens out tone, and hydrates my skin (no alcohol in it - which I love for my sensitive skin).

Have you guys made any beauty resolutions in the new year?  What products have you tried and loved?

images and product provided by LMdB